HISTORY  OF  OMEGA  CHAPTER, 


Reminiscences  of  Northwestern. 


A  BRIEF  SKETCH  OF  THE  SIGMA  CHI  FRATERNITY,  AND  A  LIST  OF  THE 
MEMBERS  OF  OMEGA,  ETC.,  ETC. 


"  The  men  of  this  fraternity  who  have  graduated  from  this  insti- 
tution, are  the  men  to  ivhom  ive  point  tuith  pride  as  specimens?' — 
President  JOSEPH  CUMMINGS  in  an  address  of  welcome  to  the  Sigma 
Chi  delegates  of  the  Fourteenth  Convention  on  their  visit  to  the  North- 
western University. 


EDITED    BY    FRANK    M.    ELLIOT. 


CHICAGO: 

1885. 


COPYRIGHT, 
FRANK  M.  ELLIOT. 


PRINTED  AND  BOUND  BY 

DONOHUE    *    HENNEBERRY, 

CHICAGO. 


'/'(>  all  those  who  cherish  college  recollections,  and 
especially  to  the  members  of  Omega,  whose  words  and 
deeds  Jiare  symbolized  the  motto  of  our  m\stic  broth- 
frliood,  t/iis  volume  is  affectionately  dedicated. 


2038872 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  fifteen  years  since  Omega  was  established. 
That  she  has  a  history  no  one  will  deny,  and  that 
it  should  be  recorded  in  some  substantial  man- 
ner has  also  been  granted.  The  task  and  the  delay 
of  compiling  this  history  have  been  greatly  in- 
creased by  the  interference  of  other  business,  and 
especially  by  the  difficulty  of  acquiring  reliable 
data.  The  record  of  the  first  five  years  of  our 
existence  is  lost,  and  the  information  for  that 
time  has  been  obtained  only  through  personal 
interviews  and  correspondence.  The  editor  has 
been  greatly  assisted  by  Brother  C.  R.  Paul,  who 
has  by  his  hearty  sympathy  with  the  work  given 
valuable  aid  in  the  earlier  portions  of  our  history. 
He  is  also  under  obligations  to  Brothers  Currier, 
E.  W.  Andrews,  Bross,  Merrick,  and  Wightman, 
and  to  many  others  in  the  chapter,  for  valuable 
and  material  suggestions.  Articles  contributed 
by  members  other  than  the  editor  appear  over 
the  writers'  names.  No  attempt  has  been  made 
to  record  all  of  the  events  that  have  transpired 
during  our  career,  as  this  would  require  more 
space  and  labor  than  we  have  at  our  disposal. 


6  PREFACE. 

In  addition  to  the  history  of  Omega  there  are 
included  a  historical  sketch  of  the  Sigma  Chi 
Fraternity,  a  list  of  its  conventions  and  the  testi- 
mony of  the  worth  of  the  fraternity  by  a  few  of 
the  more  prominent  members  of  our  order.  Clus- 
tering around  all  these  associations  of  the  chap- 
ter, there  have  been  many  pleasant  and  impor- 
tant events  to  which  Omega  lays  no  particular 
claim,  except  in  so  far  as  her  members  have  been 
interested  in  and  identified  with  them.  Some  of 
these  events  are  deemed  of  sufficient  importance 
to  be  incorporated  in  this  book.  They  may  be 
considered  in  this  connection,  as  they  truly  are, 
simply  as  college  reminiscences  at  Northwestern. 

We  have  attempted  to  make  this  history  relia- 
ble and  interesting,  and  with  this  end  in  view, 
the  usual  dry  statistical  method  has  been  avoided 
as  much  as  possible  in  its  form  and  composition. 
This  book  is  the  record  of  pleasant  years,  a  col- 
lege farrago,  of  a  few  kindred  minds.  Members 
who  have  been  individually  identified  with  par- 
ticular events  and  with  certain  periods  of  our 
history  have  kindly  given  their  assistance  and 
contributions  to  the  work.  These  fragments  of 
our  history,  these  pleasant  memories,  have  been 
gathered  up  and  condensed  into  a  brief  space, 
that  nothing  may  be  lost.  If  this  book,  sent 
forth  as  a  tribute  to  Omega  and  Sigma  Chi,  shall 
have  the  effect  of  renewing  and  increasing  the 


PREFACE.  7 

affection  and  esteem  for  those  "old  college'days  " 
and  pleasant  friends,  the  labor  which  it  has  cost 
and  which  has  been  freely  given  will  have  re- 
ceived all  the  recognition  that  could  be  desired. 
Fraternally  yours, 

FRANK  M.  ELLIOT. 
EVAXSTON,  ILL.,  January,   1885. 


CONTENTS. 


NORTHWESTERN  UNIVERSITY.  Frontispiece. 

ClIAPlER    I. 

PAGE 

A  historical  sketch  of  Sigma  Chi.     List  of  Chapters.  ...    13 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Northwestern  University 21 

CHAPTER  III. 
Omega — A  poem 28 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Early  history  of  Omega 30 

CHAPTER  V. 
Omega  reorganized;  annual  banquet,  etc 38 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Omega's  sleigh-rides 47 

CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Psi  Upsilon  movement 51 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Boys  of  Sigma  Chi — A  song 69 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PAGE 

Some  comical  events  at  Omega — One  of  Knappen's 

stories 7 l 

CHAPTER  X. 
Driftwood.     Four  college  years,  1874-1878 78 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Fratres  Caros  Saluto — A  song 104 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Omega,  1878-1879 105 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
History  of  Omega  from  1879  to  1884 108 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Fourteenth  Biennial  Convention 122 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Northwestern  District  Convention  of  Sigma  Chi.  .  .  .128 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Prize  men  of  Omega.  Speakers  on  Commencement, 
Class-day,  Junior  Exhibitions,  Junior  and  Sophomore 
debates  and  declamations;  Hinman  essay  and  Fresh- 
men declamation  contests.  Also  list  of  the  men 
of  Omega  who  have  occupied  honorary  positions, 
either  connected  with  the  University  or  the  Fra- 
ternity  133 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

PAGE 

The  Blanchard  Prize 143 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Miscellany — The  Spade  and  Serpent.  Life-saving  crew. 
The  famous  baseball  team  of  1871.  The  Velvet- 
Tops.  King  Kalakua.  Wooglin  and  his  dorg.  The 
Greeks  at  Northwestern 149 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

I.  Fraternity  Influence 156 

II.  Omega  Chapter  House 159 

III.  A  matter  of  policy 161 

CHAPTER  XX. 
The  Intercollegiate  Literary  Association 164 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Building  a  gymnasium .  .- 17  j. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
The  bear  story 182 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
The  conventions  of  Sigma  Chi 201 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Sigma  Chi  Sentiments,  by  Linden  Kent,  Psi;  W.  W.  Fos- 
dick,  Lambda;  Isaac  M.  Jordan,  Old  Alpha;  John  M. 
Hamilton,  Alpha;  E.  L.  Shuman,  Omega;  Ben.  P. 
Runkle,  Old  Alpha:  W.  L.  Fisher.  Chi 203 


12  CONTENTS. 

n 

PAGB 

Then  as  now.  Gleanings  from  old  letters — J.  Parks 
Caldwell,  Alpha;  T.  C.  Bell,  Alpha;  Frank  H.  Sco- 
bey,  Alpha;  John  J.  Piatt,  George  D.  Prentice  and 
Wallace  Wood,  Eta 210 


Memento  Mori — A  poem 216 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Necrology. — Biographical  sketches  of  the  lives  of  de- 
ceased brothers:  I.  Evarts  Greene  Boutell;  II.  Fenni- 
more  Enz  Hancock;  III.  Robert  Marshall  Humphrey; 
IV.  Harry  Putney  Brown;  V.  Frederick  William  Ran- 
dolph; VI.  John  S.  Hancock;  VII.  Ezra  Benedict 
Parrish;  VIII.  Frank  Edward  Hesler 217 

CHAPTKR  XXVI. 
List  of  members,  their  occupation,  addre3S,  etc 255 

Index  of  names  and  subjects 261 


CHAPTER  I. 

A    HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF    SIGMA    CHI. 

THE  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity  was  founded  June 
28,  1855,  at  Miami  University,  Oxford,  Ohio.  Its 
founders  were  six  Delta  Kappa  Epsilons,  who  re- 
fused to  obey  the  dictates  of  a  fraternity  caucus. 
Since  there  were  just  twelve  men  in  the  Delta 
Kappa  Epsilon  chapter,  the  rebellious  "  Dekes  " 
could  not  be  expelled;  so  the  caucus  members 
ran  away  with  the  charter  and  the  records,  while 
the  other  six  stood  together  and  became  the 
founders  of  Sigma  Chi.  Upon  an  honorable 
adherence  to  what  they  deemed  to  be  principles 
of  right  and  justice  did  Sigma  Chi  stake  her 
raison  d'etre.  Springing  from  what  was  the  most 
renowned  and  influential  secret  college  society  of 
the  time,  the  founders  of  Sigma  Chi  brought  to 
their  work  its  tried  and  experienced  methods  and 
discipline.  It  is  without  doubt  due  to  this  fact 
of  her  auspicious  parentage  that  Sigma  Chi  has 
owed  much  of  her  success.  Minerva  like,  she 
sprang  full-armed  from  the  head  of  the  frater- 
nity Jupiter.  If,  however,  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon 
had  proven  herself  in  some  respects  to  be  nar- 
row and  bigoted,  Sigma  Chi  strove  to  broaden 
the  principles  she  borrowed  by  embodying  in 


14  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

them  a  wider  justice  and  deeper  social  and 
friendly  bonds  of  union.  That  she  succeeded  is 
attested  by  her  thirty-eight  active  chapters  in 
the  best  colleges  of  the  central,  western  and 
southern  states,  having  an  average  undergradu- 
ate membership  of  twelve,  and  counting  a  total 
membership  roll  of  about  3,500  alumni  members. 
The  fraternity  from  its  foundation  had  its  exten- 
sion in  view.  The  older  institutions  of  the  East 
being  already  overcrowded  by  Greek  societies, 
she  entrusted  her  destiny  to  the  rising  colleges 
of  Virginia,  Pennsylvania  and  the  West,  plant- 
ing her  first  chapter  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity, at  Delaware,  in  the  same  year  with  her  own 
foundation.  This  was  called  the  Gamma  chap- 
ter, and  on  the  death  of  the  parent  chapter  in 
1858,  it  assumed  the  government  of  the  order. 
The  extension  of  the  society  has  resulted  in  the 
following  chapters:  * 

Date  of 

No.     Foun-     NAMH.  INSTITUTION  AND  SITUATION. 

dation. 

2.  1855,  Gamma,    Ohio    Wesleyan   University,    Delaware, 

Ohio. 

3.  1857,   Eta,   University   of    Mississippi,   Oxford,    Missis- 

sippi. 

*  No  account  is  here  taken  of  the  ante-bellum  chapters  chartered  in 
the  South  and  not  revived  at  the  end  of  hostilities.  Epsilon  was  char- 
tered at  the  University  of  Nashville,  in  1856;  Pi  at  hrskine  College, 
South  Carolina,  in  1860,  and  Sigma  at  Lagrange  Col'ege,  Tennessee, 
in  the  same  year.  Pi  and  Sigma  continued  till  the  outbieak  of  the 
Rebellion,  when  they  were  disbanded.  The  records  of  these  chapters 
were  lost  or  destroyed  during  the  Rebellion. 


HISTORY    OF    SIGMA    CHI.  15 

Date  of 

No.    Foun-    NAME.          •          INSTITUTION  AND  SITI-ATION. 
dation . 

4.  1858,   Iota,  Jefferson  College  [1871],  Canonsburg,  Penn- 

sylvania. 

5.  1858,  Lambda,  Indiana  State  University,  Bloomington, 

Indiana. 

6.  1859,  Xi,  DePauw  University,  Greencastle,  Indiana. 

7.  1859,  Omicron,    Dickinson    College,    Carlisle,    Pennsyl- 

vania. 

8.  1859,   Nu,     Washington    College    [1865],    Washington, 

Pennsylvania. 

9.  1859,   Psi,  University  of  Virginia,  Virginia. 

10.  1863,  Theta,   Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  Penn- 

sylvania. 

11.  1864,   Epsilon,  Columbian   University  [1878],  Washing- 

ton, District  Columbia. 

12.  1864,   Kappa,  University  at  Lewisburg.Lewisburg,  Penn- 

sylvania. 

13.  1865,  Upsilon,  Polytechnic  College  of  the  State  of  Penn- 

sylvania   [1876],    Philadelphia,    Pennsylvania. 

14.  1866,  Zeta,  Washington  and  Lee  University,  Lexington, 

Virginia. 

15.  1866,   Rho,  Butler  University,  Irvington,  Indiana. 

16.  1867,   Phi,  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania. 

17.  1867,   Mu,  Denison  University,  Granville,  Ohio. 

18.  1869,  Sigma,  College  of  New  Jersey  [1882],  Princeton, 

New  Jersey. 

19.  1869,  Omega,  Northwestern  University,  Evanston,  Illi- 

nois. 

20.  1871,  Chi,  Hanover  College,  Hanover,  Indiana. 

21.  1872,   Delta,     University    of    Georgia    [1874],    Athens, 

Georgia. 

-22.    1872,   Nu,    Cumberland     University    [1878],    Lebanon, 
Tennessee. 


l6  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Date  of 

No.    Foun-    NAME.  INSTITUTION  AND  SITUATION. 

dation. 

23.  1872,   Pi,  Howard  College  [1885],   Marion,  Alabama. 

24.  1872,  Tau,  Roanoke  College,  Salem,  Virginia. 

25.  1872,  Sigma  Sigma,  Hampden-Sidney  College,  Virginia. 

26.  1873,   Beta,  Wooster  University,  Wooster,  Ohio. 

27.  1873,  Theta  Theta,  University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Arbor, 

Michigan. 

28.  1874,   Beta    Beta,  .Mississippi    College    [1877],   Clinton, 

Mississippi. 

29.  1874,   Gamma  Gamma,  Randolph-Macon  College,  Ash- 

land, Virginia. 

30.  1874,   Delta    Delta,  Purdue  University,  Lafayette,  Indi- 

ana. 

31.  1874,    Epsilon  Epsilon,  Monmouth  College  [1878],  Mon- 

mouth,  Illinois. 

32.  1875,   Phi    Phi,    University  of    Pennsylvania,   Philadel- 

phia, Pennsylvania. 

33.  1876,  Zeta   Zeta,  Centre  College,   Danville,   Kentucky. 

34.  1876,  Iota  Iota,  University  of   Alabama  [1878],  Tusca- 

loosa,  Alabama. 

35.  1879,  Chi  Chi,  Southern  University  [1882],  Greensboro, 

Alabama. 

36.  1880,   Alpha  Beta,  Richmond  College  [iSSi],  Richmond, 

Virginia. 

37.  1880,   Delta   Chi,  Wabash    College,  Crawfordsville,   In- 

diana. 

38.  1881,   Kappa    Kappa,   Illinois  State  University,   Cham- 

paign, Illinois. 

39.  1882,  Zeta  Psi,    University  of     Cincinnati,   Cincinnati, 

Ohio. 
40  1882,  Alpha  Gamma,  Ohio  State  University,  Columbus,. 

Ohio. 
41.  1882,  Alpha  Zeta,  Beloit  College,  Beloit,  Wisconsin. 


HISTORY    OF    SK1MA    CHI.  17 

Date  of 

No.     Foun-    NAME  INSTITUTION  AND  SITUATION. 

dation. 

42.  1882,  Alpha  Eta,  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 

43.  1882,  Alpha  Theta,   Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technol- 

ogy, Boston,  Massachusetts. 

44.  1883,  Alpha    Delta,    Stevens    Institute  of   Technology, 

Hoboken,  New  Jersey. 

45.  1883,  Alpha  Epsilon,  University  of  Nebraska,  Lincoln, 

Nebraska. 

46.  1883,  Alpha  Iota,  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  Bloom- 

ington,  Illinois. 

47-    1883,   Alpha  Kappa,  Hillsdale  College,  Hillsdale,  Mich- 
igan. 

48.  1884,  Alpha  Lambda,   University  of   Wisconsin,  Madi- 

son, Wisconsin. 

49.  1884,  Alpha  Mu,  Virginia  Military  Institute,  Lexington, 

Virginia. 

50.  1884,  Alpha  Xi,  University  of  Kansas,  Lawrence,  Kan. 

51.  1884,   Alpha   Nu,   University  of   Texas,  Austin,  Texas. 

In  1882,  a  charter  was  granted  to  certain 
alumni  Sigma  Chis  in  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  University  of  Louisiana  to  establish  a  chap- 
ter in  that  institution.  After  a  careful  investiga- 
tion of  the  prospect  in  the  literary  department, 
they  decided  that  the  then  occasion  was  not  favor- 
able for  the  establishment  of  the  chapter,  and  the 
charter  was  returned.  Such  has  been  the  territo- 
rial development  of  Sigma  Chi — a  development 
winch,  considering  the  high  character  of  all  the 
institutions  entered,  is  without  a  parallel  among 
"  western  "  fraternities.  Two  of  the  chapters  are 


1 8  HISTORY  OF  OME<;A. 

sn/>  rosa,  Kappa  Kappa,  and  Delta  Delta.  The 
latter  was  the  means  of  bringing  to  judicial  de- 
termination faculty  opposition  to  fraternities. 
Its  long  and  successful  struggle  with  the  college 
authorities  carried  up  to  the  Indiana  Supreme 
Court,  is  among  the  most  interesting  and  impor- 
tant of  Greek  society  annals.  The  living  chap- 
ters are,  as  a  whole,  very  prosperous.  Of  the 
defunct  chapters,  Delta,  Beta  Beta,  Epsilon  Epsi- 
lon,  Iota  Iota,  and  Sigma,  after  short  but  bril- 
liant careers,  disbanded  by  reason  of  faculty 
opposition.  Nu  at  Washington  College  united 
with  Iota  when  Jefferson  and  Washington  col- 
leges consolidated.  Iota,  Epsilon,  Chi  Chi,  and 
Nu  at  Cumberland  University  preferred  an  hon- 
orable death  to  life  with  an  inferior  membership. 
Upsilon  was  weakened  by  the  establishment  of  Phi 
Phi  and  died  a  natural  death  in  the  class  of  1876. 
Sigma  was  first  chartered  in  1869  and  re-char- 
tered in  1875.  The  chapter  at  the  University  of 
Michigan  was  first  chartered  as  Psi  Psi  in  1873  and 
again  chartered  in  i877asTheta  Theta.  Phi  Phi 
died  in  1878,  but  was  revived  in  1884.  There  are 
alumni  chapters  at  Chicago,  Cincinnati;  Indianap- 
olis and  Lafayette,  Indiana.  These  hold  annual 
and  semi-annual  meetings  and  banquets,  and  have 
the  privilege  of  sending  representatives  to  the 
biennial  sessions  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

To  Henry  St.  John  Dixon,  of  Psi,  the  fraternity 


HISTORY    OF    SIGMA    CHI.  19 

system  is  indebted  for  a  very  unique  episode. 
This  was  the  organization  of  a  chapter  of  Sigma 
Chi  in  the  Confederate  Army,  known  as  the  Con- 
siantine  chapter.  The  chapter,  whose  membership, 
with  one  exception,  consisted  only  of  Sigma 
Chis,  was  established  in  Armstrong's  brigade,  of 
the  Army  of  Tennessee,  during  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign of  '64.  Most  of  the  Southern  colleges  were 
closed  during  the  war,  and  thus  our  Southern 
brothers  sought  to  keep  the  order  alive  during 
the  trying  period.  A  touching  story  is  told  of  a 
Sigma  Chi  badge  manufactured  from  an  old  silver 
dollar  with  a  gutta  percha  center  and  passed 
from  one  member  of  the  chapter  to  another. 

The  publications  of  the  fraternity  consist  of  two 
editions  of  the  catalogue,  the  first  issued  in  1870 
and  the  latter  in  1876  ;  the  "  Sigma  Chi  Song 
Book,"  edited  by  a  committee  from  Beta  chapter 
and  published  in.  1884  ;  several  pieces  of  sheet 
music,  polkas  and  waltzes  dedicated  to  the  fra- 
ternity, together  with  various  orations,  addresses 
and  poems,  delivered  at  conventions  and  reunions. 
Perhaps,  however,  the  pride  and  glory  of  Sigma 
Chi  is  in  its  magazine.  For  the  first  two  years, 
from  '80  to  '82,  it  was  conducted  by  the  Theta 
chapter,  since  which  time  it  has  been  under  the 
editorship  of  Walter  L.  Fisher,  of  Chi  chapter.  It 
is  truly  representative,  and  in  very  many  respects 
leads  the  fraternity  press.  A  new  and  biograph- 


20  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ical  catalogue  is  in  preparation  under  the  charge 
of  Omega. 

The  government  of  the  fraternity,  up  to  the 
fourteenth  biennial  session  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter at  Chicago  in  1882,  was  wholly  in  the  hands 
of  the  Gamma  chapter.  Her  decision  on  peti- 
tions was  almost  always  final,  and  whatever 
success  the  fraternity  has  enjoyed  is  largely  due 
to  the  policy  of  the  Gamma.  Yet  the  develop- 
ment of  the  fraternity  seemed  to  call  for  a  stronger 
and  more  centralized  government.  This  demand 
has  been  met  by  the  last  two  conventions,  the 
tendency  of  the  reforms  being  in  the  direction  of 
government  by  a  judicial  and  legislative  board  of 
alumni  members  and  the  individual  responsibility 
of  each  officer.  The  duties  of  each  officer  and 
the  functions  of  earh  branch  of  the  government 
are  clearly  defined  in  the  constitution,  which  is 
no  longer  secret,  and  can  be  obtained  by  any 
member  of  the  fraternity.  The  Gamma  chapter 
now  occupies  an  honorable  position  as  the  mother 
of  many  flourishing  daughters,  who  have  grown 
so  strong  that  they  have  been  able  to  erect  an 
independent  governmental  structure  of  magnifi- 
cent proportions.  Gamma,  after  nearly  thirty 
years  of  rule,  finds  protection  again  in  the  chap- 
ter sisterhood,  and  is  entitled  to  an  equal  voice 
in  all  the  affairs  pertaining  to  the  interest  and 
welfare  of  the  fraternity.  C.  A.  WIGHTMAN. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE     NORTHWESTERN     UNIVERSITY. 

THE  Omega  chapter  derives  its  strength  and 
support  from  the  students  at  the  Northwestern 
University,  at  Evanston,  Cook  county,  Illinois. 

The  village  of  Evanston  is  situated  on  the 
west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  twelve  miles  north 
of  Chicago.  It  is  a  village  of  homes,  and  the 
people  who  live  in  them  are  among  the  most 
advanced  in  social  and  literary  circles  in  the 
West.  This  is  so  evident  that  the  village  is  often 
called  the  Athens  of  the  West.  It  has  a  popula- 
tion of  about  7,500  people.  The  original  settlement 
was  called  Ridgeland,  and  its  first  organized 
meeting  was  held  on  April  2,  1850.  Like  nearly 
every  frontier  town,  it  was  composed  of  a 
drunken,  immoral  and  villainous  class  of  people. 
It  was  doubtless  owing  largely  to  this  fact  that 
the  legal  restriction  in  reference  to  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors  within  four  miles  of  the  uni- 
versity was  incorporated  in  the  charter.  This 
charter  was  granted  to  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity by  the  legislature  of  1851.  In  August,  1853, 
three  hundred  and  eighty  acres  were  purchased 
for  $25,000  by  the  enterprising  Methodists  inter- 
ested in  the  establishment  of  the  University. 


22  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  Kurd,  F.  H.  Benson  and  A.  J. 
Brown,  the  owners  of  adjoining  property  west  of 
that  purchased  by  the  University,  joined  heartily 
with  the  founders  of  Northwestern  and  laid  out 
the  site  fora  town.  On  February  3,  1854,  it  was 
named  Evanston,  in  honor  of  Hon.  John  Evans, 
one  of  the  original  and  most  enthusiastic  pro- 
moters of  this  enterprise. 

Evanston  possesses  many  advantages  aside 
from  its  educational  attractions.  In  the  first 
place,  it  is  healthy.  The  modern  improved  sys- 
tem of  sewerage,  pure  lake  water,  and  fresh  in- 
vigorating air  are  its  chief  advantages.  Then  it 
is  a  moral  village.  It  has  none  of  those  places 
within  its  borders  which  tempt  a  young  man  to 
deviate  from  the  line  of  duty  and  of  virtue.  No 
saloons  are  permitted,  and  as  for  public  billiard 
rooms  and  theaters,  public  sentiment  is  against 
them,  and  they  cannot  exist.  All  the  moral  and 
social  surroundings  are  such  as  to  form  efficient 
and  practical  safeguards  so  essential  in  a  univer- 
sity town.  Chicago,  that  wonderful  city  of  en- 
terprise and  thrift,  where  the  product  of  the  best 
thought,  art,  business  and  civilization  exists,  is 
available  to  all  those  who  desire  pleasant  and 
instructive  recreation. 

Evanston  owes  its  creation  to  the  religious  zeal 
of  certain  leading  members  of  the  Methodist 
church.  Its  origin  and  the  growth  which  has 


NORTHWESTERN    UMVKRSITV.  23 

been  made  largely  by  sincere  labor  and  devotion 
have  been  guided  by  the  kind  of  inspiration  that 
presages  success.  What  splendid  foresight  was 
exhibited  in  selecting  this  location,  when  we 
consider  what  educational  and  social  advantages 
there  are  now  and  what  possibilities  there  are  yet 
open  to  the  Northwestern  University !  The 
founders  expected  (and  their  expectations  have 
been  largely  realized)  to  build  an  institution  that 
\vould  supply  the  higher  and  better  educational 
wants  of  Chicago  and  of  this  great  center. 

The  University  was  not  founded,  as  many  sup- 
pose, as  a  strictly  sectarian  institution,  nor  was  it 
intended  to  advance  one  department  of  learning 
more  than  another.  It  was  to  be  a  "  Christian 
University."  The  supreme  design  was  to  create 
a  university  which,  if  it  did  not  teach  all  knowl- 
edge, would  at  least  teach  a  number  of  the  most 
desirable  branches  of  learning.  For  this  reason 
there  have  been  added,  from  time  to  time,  special 
departments,  so  that  special  instruction  may  be 
obtained  in  science,  medicine,  law,  and  music. 
This  right  of  adding  new  departments  to  the 
University  was  granted  to  it  by  virtue  of  article 
seven  of  its  charter.  When  the  University  was 
opened  there  were  only  two  departments,  the 
Collegiate  and  Preparatory.  In  1869,  the  Chicago 
Medical  College  was  made  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University.  In  1873,  the  Evanston 


\ 


i 


24  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

College  for  Ladies  was  purchased,  and  co-educa- 
tion was  introduced.  The  Law  department  was 
also  added  this  year,  and  in  1874  the  Conserva- 
tory of  Music  was  founded.  All  six  of  these  de- 
partments are  under  the  control  and  direction  of 
the  trustees  of  the  University. 

The  first  president,  Rev.  Clark  T.  Hinman, 
D.D.,  was  elected  June  23,  1853;  died  in  1854. 
Rev.  R.  S.  Foster,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  elected 
president  June  5,  1856  ;  he  resigned  in  1860. 
Rev.  E.  O.  Haven,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  elected  pres- 
ident June  23,  1869;  resigned  in  the  fall  of  1872. 
Rev.  Charles  H.  Fowler,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  elected 
president  October  23,  1872;  resigned  in  1876. 
Acting  presidents  elected  by  the  board  of  trustees. 
Henry  Sanborn  Noyes,  A.M.,  1860  to  1866.  Oli- 
ver Marcy,  LL.D.,  1876  to  1881.  Rev.  Joseph 
Cummings,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  elected  president 
July,  1881.  Three  of  the  presidents,  Foster, 
Haven  and  Fowler,  were  subsequently  elected 
bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  situation  of  the  University  is  most  admira- 
ble. It  is  on  a  slight  elevation  of  ground  in  the 
midst  of  a  large  grove.  The  college  campus  is 
composed  of  about  thirty-five  acres.  The  trees 
in  it  are  fine  large  specimens  of  oak,  and 
are  the  pride  and  admiration  of  the  institution. 
That  part  of  the  campus  set  aside  for  athletic 
sports  is  unquestionably  as  fine  as  any  in  this 


NORTHWESTERN    UNIVERSITY.  25 

country,  and  with  the  expenditure  of  a  small 
amount  of  money  on  it  would  be  unexcelled. 
There  are  few  colleges  whose  surroundings  are 
equal  to  those  of  Northwestern.  Bordering  on  the 
lake,  with  its  pebbled  beach  and  broad  expanse 
beyond,  these  grounds  become  the  favorite  resort 
for  all  lovers  of  nature,  whose  delight  is  in  the 
"forest  primeval." 

The  college  building  is  constructed  of  Joliet 
stone,  and  is  of  a  rich  Gothic  style  of  architec- 
ture. Its  tall  and  graceful  spire  can  be  seen  from 
long  distances  in  every  direction.  The  building 
is  well  arranged  for  all  the  needs  of  the  college, 
and  is  in  keeping  with  all  the  great  enterprises 
of  the  University.  It  was  finished  in  1869  at  an 
expense  of  $120,000. 

The  classical, scientific  and  elective  courses  were 
the  first  to  be  adopted,  and  since  then  the  different 
branches  of  science  and  philosophy  have  been 
added  to  the  curriculum.  Diplomas  are  issued 
to  those  persons  who  have  successfully  passed 
the  examinations  in  the  studies  in  the  four-year- 
course  required.  The  University  was  formally 
opened  on  November  5,  1855,  with  ten  freshmen, 
and  the  first  class  was  graduated  in  June,  1859, 
with  five  men.  There  have  been  about  450 
persons  who  have  graduated  and  gone  out  from 
the  University.  The  total  number  of  students 
in  attendance  during  1883-1884  in  all  the  differ- 


26  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ent  departments  was  753.  The  value  of  the 
property  owned  by  the  University  is  estimated  at 
$1,500,000.  A  large  part  of  this  is  unimproved, 
but  the  real  estate  being  exempt  from  taxation, 
there  is  not  the  immediate  and  urgent  necessity  of 
selling  it,  especially  as  the  property  is  constantly 
advancing  in  value.  With  the  exception  of  the 
half  block  on  which  the  Grand  Pacific  stands  and 
a  few  lots  on  the  West  side  in  Chicago,  all  of  the 
property  is  in  Evanston.  In  addition  to  the  325 
acres  originally  purchased,  the  "  Billings  farm  " 
of  about  thirty-five  acres  adjoining  the  above 
tract  was  purchased  by  the  University. 

An  erroneous  idea  prevails  that  the  Garret! 
Biblical  Institute  belongs  to  the  University.  As 
a  matter  of  fact  the  Institute  was  opened  before 
the  University,  and  was  known  as  the  Biblical  In- 
stitute. In  1855  Mrs.  Eliza  Garrett  bequeathed 
a  large  amount  of  property  to  the  Institute, 
valued  to-day  at  about  $300,000.  In  honor  of 
this  munificent  gift  the  name  of  Garrett  Biblical 
Institute  was  substituted  for  the  one  originally 
given.  A  separate  and  distinct  charter  was  ob- 
tained and  the  government  of  the  Institute  is 
under  the  control  of  an  entirely  different  board  of 
trustees  from  that  of  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity. All  the  connection  there  is  between  the 
two  institutions  arises  from  a  lease  of  about  500 
feet  of  ground  in  the  campus  on  which  the 


NORTHWESTERN    rMYKKSlTY.  27 

buildings  of  the  Institute  stand.  The  North- 
western University  should  therefore  be  consid- 
ered as  entirely  separate  and  distinct,  as  an 
educational  institution,  from  the  Garrett  Biblical 
Institute.  The  interests  of  one  ought  not  to 
encroach  upon  the  right  or  interests  of  the  other, 
and  any  attempt  to  make  them  conflict  or  to 
unite  them  in  a  common  household  on  a  common 
basis  is  contrary  to  the  prudent  and  wise  design 
of  their  founders. 


CHAPTER  III. 

OMEGA. 

SIGMA  CHI  has  many  daughters 

Scattered  broad  throughout  the  land, 

But  Omega  is  the  fairest 
Of  the  captivating  band. 

Just  fifteen  is  young  Omega, — 

Young,  but  oh,  how  wondrous  wise  ! 

Brim-full  is  her  head  of  knowledge, 
Brim-full  to  her  very  eyes. 

She  can  talk  in  Greek  and  Latin, 

She  can  measure  stars  and  steeps, 
She  can  "cut  you  up"  correctly, 
She  can  lay  down  law  in  "heaps." 

She  is  wise,  but  not  too  learned; 

She  with  all  her  heart  doth  dote 
On  her  quadruped  companion, 

On  her  jolly,  bunting  goat. 

And  we  love  her  for  this  mixture 
Of  her  wisdom  and  her  mirth; 

And  we'll  love  her  till  the  ending 
Of  our  lives  upon  this  earth. 


OMF.GA.  29 

Aye,  we'll  love  her  long  as  heaven 

Grants  to  us  her  cross  to  bear, 
And  we'll  love  her  still  up  yonder 

Where  the  crown  immortals  wear. 

A.  S.  E. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY    HISTORY    OF     OMECiA. 

OMEGA  owes  its  origin  mainly  to  Hon.  L.  C. 
Collins,  Jr.,  who  brought  to  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity the  fraternity  spirit  he  had  thoroughly 
imbibed  while  preparing  for  college  at  Delaware, 
Ohio,  and  infused  that  spirit  into  the  band  of 
chosen  comrades  who  subsequently  aided  him  to 
found  and  maintain  the  chapter.  It  was  at  Del- 
aware, too,  that  Bro.  Collins  learned  to  appreciate 
the  merits  of  Sigma  Chi,  as  compared  with  other 
fraternities,  so  that  Omega  actually,  though  in 
the  indirect  way  indicated,  derived  its  existence 
from  the  parent  chapter.  When  Bro.  Collins 
entered  the  Northwestern  University  as  a  fresh- 
man, he  found  but  two  fraternities  at  the  institu- 
tion— Phi  Kappa  Psi  and  Phi  Gamma  Delta — and 
but  little  genuine  fraternity  spirit.  These  two 
chapters  had  things  their  own  way,  and  picked 
out  what  material  they  wanted  at  their  leisure, 
neither  finding  it  necessary  to  interfere  with  the 
other.  But  neither  of  them  suited  a  young  man 
who  wanted  to  be  a  Sigma  Chi,  and  Bro.  Collins 
soon  determined  to  organize  a  chapter  of  that 
fraternity  at  Evanston,  if  possible. 

In  those  days  it  was  a  tedious  process  to  ob- 


KARI.Y    KYKNTS.  31 

tain  the  necessary  consent  of  the  different  chap- 
ters, and  it  \vas  not  certain  that  their  action 
would  be  favorable.  In  the  meantime  the  other 
fraternities  were  lavishing  all  their  blandishments 
upon  several  members  of  the  little  band  which 
Hro.  Collins  had  gathered  around  him  and  in- 
spired with  his  own  ambition  to  be  a  Sigma  Chi. 
In  this  emergency  an  opportunity  was  offered  to 
establish  a  chapter  of  a  new  fraternity,  the  Kappa 
Phi  Lambda,  and  advantage  was  taken  of  this  as 
a  temporary  expedient  for  keeping  the  ranks  of 
the  faithful  intact.  The  charter  offered  was  ac- 
cordingly accepted,  the  boys  were  initiated  with- 
out any  ceremony,  and  the  brethren  at  Mon- 
mouth,  Illinois,  kindly  loaned  their  badges  so 
that  the  existence  of  the  new  chapter  might  be 
made  known  to  the  college  world  in  fitting  style. 
Meanwhile,  the  correspondence  with  Sigma 
Chi  acquaintances  and  chapters  was  steadily 
maintained,  and  the  desired  charter  was  finally 
granted,  being  dated  June  23,  1869.  This  long- 
looked  for  parchment  bore  the  names  of  the 
founders  of  Omega  as  follows  : 

LORIN  C.  COLLINS,  JR.,  ALBERT  D.  LANGXVORTHY. 

ELLERY  H.  BF.AL,  MERRITT  C.  BRAGDON, 

CI.ARKNCK  R.  PAUL,  WM.  H.  SPARI.INC, 

J.   FRANK  ROBINSON,  GEORGE  LrxT. 

All   of    these   brothers,   except    George    Lunt 
were   present  on  the  eventful  evening  when  the 


32  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

new  chapter  came  into  being.  The  parent  chap- 
ter had  commissioned  a  worthy  brother  from  Xi 
chapter  at  Greencastle,  Indiana,  then  the  nearest 
neighbor  of  Omega,  to  reveal  to  those  expectant 
barbarians  the  mysteries  of  Sigma  Chi.  This 
brother  was  Edgar  L.  Wakeman,  who  had  even 
then  in  his  college  acquired  a  reputation  as  a 
poet,  who  has  since  become  widely  known  as  a 
journalist,  and  is  now  even  more  favorably  known 
as  the  publisher  of  the  most  ambitious  literary 
venture  of  the  day,  The  Current. 

At  that  early  day  Evanston  did  not  afford  the 
advantages  for  holding  fraternity  meetings  that 
the  coilegians  of  the  present  period  enjoy.  But 
the  founders  of  Omega,  animated  by  the  spirit 
of  the  pioneer,  felt  free  to  go  where  they  pleased, 
and  finally  settled  upon  the  basement  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  as  the  most  available  place  for  coming 
ceremonies.  Owing  doubtless  to  the  excitement 
naturally  attending  so  important  an  event,  the 
boys  forgot  to  ask  the  trustees  for  the  use  of  the 
church,  which  then  stood  on  the  corner  of  Hin- 
man  avenue  and  Church  street.  Possibly,  how- 
ever, they  obtained  permission  of  Bros.  Paul  and 
Robinson,  who  acted  as  librarians  of  the  Baptist 
Sunday  school,  and  probably  carried  a  key  to 
the  basement.  In  fact,  this  is  probably  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  church  came  to  be  used  for  the 
occasion,  for  college  tradition  has  it  that  some 


EARLY    KVKXTS.  33 

member  of  '72  usually  had  a  key  to  any  building 
or  place  about  the  University  or  about  town  that 
the  students  ever  wanted  to  visit  or  use. 

It  was  agreed  by  common  consent  that  Bro. 
Collins  should  be  the  Grand  Mogul,  or  whatever 
the  official  title  of  the  High  Priest  of  the  new 
chapter  might  be,  and  he  was  accordingly  initiated 
first  by  Bro.  Wakeman,  while  the  rest  of  the  boys 
sat  in  the  dark  and  wondered  what  they  would 
have  to  go  through.  Bro.  Bragdon  was  next 
called  into  the  inner  sanctum,  and  when  he  had 
been  properly  qualified,  the  rest  followed,  one  at 
a  time.  Collins  and  Bragdon  took  to  this  new 
business  so  zealously  that,  with  the  able  assist- 
ance rendered  by  Bro.  Wakeman,  they  were  able 
to  make  the  ceremony  quite  interesting  by  the 
time  they  reached  those  unfortunates  who  were 
near  the  end  of  the  list. 

The  new  chapter  flourished  during  the  follow- 
ing year  and  was  recognized  by  students  and 
townspeople  as  the  leading  Greek  organization 
of  the  institution.  Additions  were  occasionally 
made  to  its  numbers,  but  the  greatest  possible 
care  was  always  exercised  in  their  selection  and 
the  most  perfect  harmony  invariably  prevailed. 
The  chapter  was  what  it  was  intended  to  be,  a 
band  of  brothers  united  by  the  strongest  ties  of 
affection,  finding  in  each  other  the  most  conge- 
3 


34  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

nial  companionship,  and  ever  anxious  to  advance 
the  good  name  of  Sigma  Chi. 

During  the  first  year  of  its  existence  Omega 
had  no  settled  home,  and  many  amusing  stories 
might  be  told  of  the  devices  resorted  to  for 
meetings  and  initiations.  At  that  time  Univer- 
sity Hall  had  not  been  fully  finished,  and  several 
meetings  were  held  in  the  tower,  where  the  boys 
could  climb  by  means  of  ladders  and  feel  per- 
fectly secure  against  being  overheard,  even  if 
they  did  not  find  roosting  on  the  rafters  in  the 
dark  very  safe  or  comfortable.  Residences  in 
out-of-the-way  places,  which  happened  to  be 
temporarily  vacant,  were  often  the  scenes  of 
mysterious  gatherings  and  still  more  mysterious 
proceedings.  Gowns  and  cowls  were  procured 
early  in  the  history  of  the  chapter  and  used  with 
great  effect  on  all  these  occasions,  while  the  boys 
exhausted  their  ingenuity  in  making  each  initia- 
tion more  interesting  than  any  that  had  pre- 
ceded it. 

During  the  second  year  a  hall  was  secured  by 
renting  a  room  in  the  old  frame  building  on  Davis 
street,  in  which  Jno.  Goebel's  drug  store  was 
then  located,  and  the  chapter  has  since  had  some 
kind  of  a  habitation  almost  without  interruption. 
At  one  time  the  meetings  were  held  regularly  in 
the  handsome  rooms  of  Hesler's  Gallery,  then  in 
the  Haskin  Block,  and  for  some  time  a  room  in 


EARLY    EVENTS.  35 

the  Union  Hall  building  was  occupied.  This 
answered  well  enough  until  initiations  were  in 
order,  and  then  the  blanket  act  was  worked  with 
great  success  either  on  the  roof  or  in  Union 
Hall.  It  was  about  this  period  that  an  aged  and 
historical  animal,  known  to  the  small  boy  of  the 
village  as  "Jim  Daly's  goat,"  was  pressed  into 
service  and  occasionally  assisted  with  becoming 
solemnity  for  a  very  reasonable  compensation. 

The  chapter  continued  to  flourish  until  in  '70 
its  rivals  fell  into  decay,  and  it  was  practically 
without  opposition.  The  result  of  this  was  un- 
fortunate. At  the  close  of  the  college  year,  how- 
ever, in  June,  '71,  a  rousing  old-fashioned  meet- 
ing was  held,  and  the  boys  separated  for  their 
homes  with  the  best  of  feeling  prevailing.  On 
reassembling  after  the  long  summer  vacation  a 
meeting  was  not  called  immediately,  the  inten- 
tion being  to  take  ample  time  for  the  selection 
of  new  members,  as  both  the  rival  chapters  had 
ceased  to  exist.  When  a  meeting  was  finally 
held,  neither  the  charter  nor  the  book  containing 
the  records  of  all  the  meetings  that  had  been 
held  by  the  chapter  since  its  organization  could 
be  found.  It  had  been  a  custom  to  leave  them 
in  custody  with  the  proper  officer,  or  of  any- 
other  member  who  happened  to  have  better  facil- 
ities for  their  safe  keeping,  and  it  was  seldom 
that  more  than  two  or  three  members  knew 


36  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

exactly  where  they  were.  Such  valuable  papers 
were  supposed  to  be  perfectly  safe  in  the  charge 
of  any  brother,  and  the  others  held  him  respon- 
sible without  giving  the  matter  any  further 
thought.  So  long  a  time  had  elapsed  between 
the  time  of  the  loss  and  the  preceding  meeting, 
that  the  boys  could  not  agree  as  to  who  had  last 
been  seen  with  the  charter  and  records,  and  the 
exact  manner  or  method  of  their  disappearance 
was  never  learned  or  satisfactorily  ascertained. 
It  was  firmly  believed,  however,  by  most  of  the 
brothers,  that  the  charter  and  record  book  had 
been  made  away  with  by  a  member  who  was 
supposed  to  be  anxious  to  go  into  a  scheme  then 
being  agitated  to  get  another  fraternity  at  Evan- 
ston,  and  who  on  that  account  wanted  to  break 
up  the  chapter. 

Whether  this  supposition  was  true  or  false,  the 
brother  was  expelled.  The  chapter  was  not  it- 
self afterwards,  and  its  interests  and  influence 
languished  when  the  large  membership  of  '72, 
which  had  been  its  mainstay  for  several  years, 
graduated.  But,  although  quiescent  for  several 
months,  and  thought  by  many  to  be  dead, 
Omega  awoke  from  her  long  slumber  on  the 
appearance  of  a  foe.  The  manner  of  its  revival 
is  worthy  of  notice,  as  it  not  only  illustrates  the 
remarkable  vitality  that  has  always  characterized 
the  chapter,  but  also  the  faculty  it  possessed  of 


KAKI.V    EVENTS.  37 

finding  the  right  kind  of  material  for  member- 
ship. During  the  interregnum  the  chapter  of 
Phi  Kappa  Psi  had  been  resuscitated,  and  a  large 
membership  had  been  gathered  in;  and  in  the 
winter  of  '72  and  '73  the  chapter  of  Phi  Kappa 
Sigma  was  established  with  a  large  membership. 
During  all  this  time  the  local  Alumni  had  been 
urging  the  reorganization  of  Omega,  but  did  not 
succeed  in  having  the  attempt  made  until  after 
both  of  these  new  chapters  had  taken  in  all  the 
members  they  could  find  room  for.  It  was  sup- 
posed that  there  was  no  available  material  left, 
but  the  result  simply  proved  the  other  fraternities 
to  be  very  poor  judges  of  good  material.  A  num- 
ber of  the  men  picked  up  during  that  gloomy 
period  of  reconstruction,  after  the  institution  had 
been  thoroughly  plowed  over  by  the  two  frater- 
nities named,  have  been  bright  and  shining  lights 
in  the  chapter  ever  since,  and  are  still  as  zealous 
in  the  cause  as  the  most  ardent  novitiate. 

C.  R.  PAUL. 


CHAPTER    V. 

OMEGA      REORGANIZED. 

IT  was  in  the  early  part  of  February,  1873, 
that  a  meeting  was  called  to  reorganize  the 
Omega  chapter  of  the  Sigma  Chi  fraternity. 
There  were  present  Bros.  L.  C.  Collins,  G.  E. 
Bragdon,  F.  E.  Hesler,  C.  R.  Paul,  L.  D.  Bradley 
and  W.  E.  Haskin.  The  only  member  who  was 
then  attending  the  University  was  Bro.  Bradley, 
of  the  class  of  '74.  Bros.  Collins,  Paul  and  Brag- 
don had  received  their  degrees  in  '72,  and  Bros. 
Hesler  and  Haskin  were  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits  in  the  village  of  Evanston. 

This  was  the  company  which  was  to  arouse  the 
sleeping  spirit  of  Omega  and  send  it  on  its 
joyous  mission  of  fraternal  love  and  friendship. 
Poor  Omega  had  lately  suffered  much.  She  not 
only  had  lost  her  members  by  graduation,  and 
had  neither  hall,  skull  or  gavel  as  the  tangible 
evidence  of  her  existence,  but  she  had  also  been 
dealt  with  treacherously.  Her  charter,  the  basis 
of  organization, — that  which  was  in  form  her 
life  and  guide, — had  been  purloined  by  one  of 
her  trusted  but  traitorous  members  and  given 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  records,  which 
contained  valuable  minutes  of  the  meetings  ever 


OMEGA    REORGANIZED.  39 

since  the  organization  of  the  chapter  in  1869, 
were  also  stolen,  and  have  never  been  recovered. 
The  condition  of  affairs  at  that  time  was  most 
humiliating  and  desperate.  Nothing  has  ever 
occurred  in  the  history  of  Omega  which  for  a 
time  so  depressed  her  members  and  stopped  the 
wheels  of  her  progress  so  suddenly  and  effectually 
as  this  act  of  robbery.  The  rival  fraternities 
were  filled  with  the  wildest  exultation.  The 
thing  which  was  a  secret  was  now  known  to  all. 

It  required  something  of  heroism  for  this  small 
company  to  submit  to  this  humiliation,  bear  the 
scoffs  of  the  opposition  fraternities,  and  not  lose 
that  spirit  of  fidelity,  of  loyalty  and  fraternal 
enthusiasm,  which  has  so  marked  and  character- 
ized the  work  of  Omega.  It  was  a  noble  and 
courageous  company,  linked  together  with  strong 
ties  of  friendship  and  love,  which  no  pilfering 
and  no  indiscretion  of  one  of  its  members  and 
all  of  its  enemies  could  sever  or  destroy.  Some- 
thing more  than  a  college  feud  was  required  to 
divide  it.  The  spirit  of  the  charter  remained. 
That  could  not  be  stolen.  Animated  by  the 
highest  regard  for  the  existence  and  permanency 
of  the  chapter,  it  was  now  resolved  by  these 
faithful  brothers  to  reorganize  and  receive,  if 
possible,  another  charter  from  Alpha.  After  a 
vexatious  delay  this  charter  was  received. 

A  meeting  was  held    in    Hesler's  gallery,   lo- 


40  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

cated  on  the  second  floor  of  the  building  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Davis  street  and  Sherman 
avenue.  The  officers  elected  were  "  C.,"  L.  C. 
Collins  ;  "  P.,"  G.  E.  Bragdon  ;  "  A.,"  F.  E.  Hes- 
ler  ;  "Q.,"  L.  D.  Bradley;  "T.,"  C.  R.  Paul; 
Gustos,  W.  E.  Haskin.  Just  enough  men  to  fill 
all  of  the  offices.  It  was  now  determined  to 
commence  a  vigorous  campaign.  That  material 
could  be  had  from  the  upper  classes,  could  hardly 
be  expected,  inasmuch  as  the  rival  fraternities 
were  supposed  to  have  taken  all  the  best  men. 
But  our  brothers  were  imbued  with  such  zeal  and 
such  realization  of  their  need,  that  in  a  very  short 
time  members  were  received  from  all  of  the 
classes  in  the  University,  and  their  selection 
showed  they  had  been  wiser  than  their  rivals. 
The  third-year  class  in  the  Preparatory  furnished 
an  ample  field  for  the  selection  of  men,  and  many 
of  us  are  very  grateful  for  the  privilege  of  thus 
becoming  identified  so  early  with  the  brethren  of 
Omega.  The  term  of  our  active  membership 
lasted  five  years  instead  of  four,  as  is  usually  the 
case.  It  was  through  the  kindness  and  gener- 
osity of  Bro.  F.  E.  Hesler  that  we  were  permit- 
ted to  use  the  gallery  during  this  winter  term 
and  until  May.  It  was  an  excellent  place  for 
these  meetings.  The  audience-room  was  large 
and  well  furnished  ;  the  walls  were  covered  with 
pictures  and  paintings,  and  everything  partook 


OMKC1A    REORGANIZED.  41 

of  an  air  of  ease  and  refinement  quite  exhilara- 
ting to  the  student  mind.  There  were  plenty  of 
rooms  and  hallways,  and  sufficient  fodder  for  the 
goat.  The  operating-room  supplied  the  para- 
phernalia so  necessary  to  the  quiet  and  subduing 
effect  of  the  initiation,  and  the  sinuous  stairway 
leading  to  the  roof  resounded  to  the  uncertain 
step  of  many  a  victim.  The  chapter  has  never 
been  in  such  luxurious  rooms,  and  has  never  been 
so  thoroughly  equipped  for  business,  as  at  that 
period.  It  might  be  added  that  Omega  never 
made  such  progress,  and  was  never  filled  with 
more  enthusiasm  than  was  made  and  received  in 
that  photographer's  gallery.  What  was  at  first 
a  weak  chapter, — weak  from  the  fact  of  having 
virtually  no  active  men  in  college, — filled  only 
with  alumni  and  business  men,  became,  before  the 
year  passed,  a  wide-awake,  progressive  and 
withal  a  healthy  organization.  Those  were  the 
clays  when  active  membership  embraced  all  who 
belonged  to  the  chapter.  There  were  twelve 
men  added  to  the  chapter  during  the  college 
year  of  '73.  The  date  and  order  of  entrance  to 
full  membership  was  as  follows  :  February  14, 
Henry  A.  Cooper,  '74;  February  16,  Isaac  E. 
Lambert,  '75;  February  24,  Daniel  C.  Reihl,  '74; 
Charles  P.  Wheeler,  '76;  March  10,  Charles  A. 
Ilgenfritz,  '75;  March  12,  Frank  M.  Elliot,  '77; 
Albert  D.  Early,  '77;  March  17,  Morrison  M. 


42  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Gillet,  '77;  April  21,  Alanson  S.  Appleton,  '76; 
May  19,  Frank  A.  Early,  '77;  June  2,  Ezra  B. 
Parish,  '77;  June  n,  William  G.  Evans,  '77.  The 
last  three  members  received  only  the  Chi  degree 
upon  admission,  but  the  Sigma  Chi  degree  was 
conferred  on  each  on  June  16,  '73. 

The  first  of  May  it  became  necessary  to  pro- 
cure another  place  for  holding  our  meetings.  It 
was  a  matter  of  no  little  importance:  there  were 
very  few  places  available,  and  for  the  purposes  of 
a  secret  society  something  more  than  an  ordinary 
room  was  needed.  A  room  was  finally  secured 
over  the  Postoffice.  It  was  in  an  old  frame  build- 
ing occupying  the  site  now  used  for  the  Post- 
office.  It  was  convenient,  and  that  was  about  all 
the  merit  it  possessed.  No  initiation  could  be 
held  there,  the  ceilings  being  too  low  for  the 
blanket  act.  Such  places  as  Hamlin's  barn  and 
the  cellar  of  a  new  house  on  Chicago  avenue, 
north  of  the  big  ditch,  were  utilized  for  these  oc- 
casions. But  for  the  ordinary  literary  and  busi- 
ness meetings  this  room  answered  the  purpose 
till  something  better  could  be  had.  New  furni- 
ture throughout  was  necessary.  The  expenses 
were  quite  heavy,  for  these  were  all  borne  now  by 
the  members  in  college.  The  alumni  were  never 
called  upon  to  contribute  to  the  necessary  ex- 
penditures, but  they  were  often  present  and  were 
very  generous,  and  provided  the  chapter  with 


OMK<;A   REORGANIZED.  43 

many  a  substantial  and  pleasant  extra.  It  was 
here  that  the  custom  was  inaugurated  of  having 
peanuts,  doughnuts  and  cider  after  the  regular 
meetings.  Sometimes  oysters  were  served.  These 
simple,  happy  occasions  were  more  to  us  then 
than  one  can  now  imagine.  They  were  the  scenes 
of  fervent,  ioyful  outbursts  of  feeling  known  only 
to  kindred  spirits.  The  flow  of  wit,  the  hearty 
laugh,  the  eloquent  words,  all  found  a  pleas- 
ant abode  within  these  halls.  It  was  just  such 
fun  as  a  student  free  from  all  care  and  trouble 
can  have,  and  make  himself  and  others  glad.  A 
pure  recreation,  stimulated  by  boundless  hopes 
and  magnificent  possibilities.  Those  happy  days 
have  never  been  renewed  by  those  who  gathered 
around  that  festive  board.  How  often  we  have 
longed  for  them  and  have  looked  forward  to  sea- 
sons of  joy  as  innocent  and  simple  as  these,  but 
they  have  not  returned,  and  probably  never  will- 
The  chapter  continued  to  grow,  and  the  mem- 
bers were  firmly  united.  The  meetings  were 
held  every  two  weeks,  and  they  were  attended  by 
all  the  members.  It  was  only  extremely  urgent 
business,  or  sickness,  which  could  prevent  a 
brother  from  being  present;  and  even  then  the 
worthy  "C"  would  be  notified  of  the  necessity 
of  his  being  absent.  This  was  a  commendable 
spirit,  and  one  which  long  continued  to  be  man- 
ifested in  the  chapter. 


44  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Again  it  became  necessary  to  procure  other 
quarters.  We  had  outgrown  our  present  hall, 
and  the  method  required  in  conducting  the 
meetings  in  a  whisper  in  order  that  the  secrets 
of  our  order  might  not  be  heard  by  those  per- 
sons who  might  be  outside,  was  alike  most  in- 
convenient and  somewhat  oppressive  to  the  gen- 
eral interest  of  the  meetings.  Rooms  were  se- 
cured on  the  third  floor  in  Brown's  Building,  on 
Davis  street.  There  were  two  rooms,  one  a  large 
assembly  room  and  the  other  a  smaller  one, 
used  as  the  "  reflectory  "  and  "armory."  It  was 
in  the  early  part  of  June,  '75,  I  believe,  when  we 
moved  into  them.  The  dedication  was  post- 
poned until  the  22d,  when  Omega  had  a  grand 
reunion  and  banquet.  It  was  in  many  respects 
the  largest  and  most  enthusiastic  banquet  the 
chapter  ever  had.  There  were  several  honorary 
members  taken  in  just  prior  to  the  banquet,  to 
enable  them  to  participate  in  it;  they  were  H.  A. 
Pearson,  F.  C.  Winslow  and  E.  J.  Harrison. 
Preparations  for  the  banquet  were  very  elabo- 
rate, and  everything  was  done  to  make  the  occa- 
sion noted  and  to  arouse  public  enthusiasm  for 
Sigma  Chi.  This  it  did  most  successfully.  The 
chapter  hall  was  placed  in  as  perfect  condition 
as  possible;  fine  oil  paintings  graced  the  walls; 
flowers  and  smilax  deftly  encircled  the  cross  of 
Sigma  Chi;  an  upright  piano  was  secured  for  the 


OMKdA    REORGANIZED.  45 

occasion.  This  room  was  used  for  the  reception. 
Here  the  ladies  were  introduced  to  the  mystic 
signs  and  symbols  and  to  the  traditional  goat. 
The  large  hall  on  the  second  floor  was  cleared  for 
dancing,  Johnny  Hand,  with  a  fine  orchestra,  fur- 
nishing the  music.  Thus  were  made  glad  the 
hearts  and  nimble  the  feet  of  the  fair  sons  and 
daughters  of  Eve  who  were  present.  There 
were  only  twenty  numbers  on  the  programme, 
and  every  one  was  participated  in  by  all  who  knew 
how  to  trip  the  light  fantastic  toe.  Refreshments 
were  served  at  a  seasonable  hour  by  a  caterer 
from  Chicago.  There  must  have  been  at  least 
sixty  people  present.  Everything  passed  off  de- 
lightfully and  the  fair  name  of  Omega  grew 
fairer  and  brighter  from  this  joyful  and  pleasant 
occasion. 

Only  one  thing  occurred  that  tended  to  mar 
the  completeness  of  this  banquet.  It  was  a 
trifle,  a  little  thing;  but  because  it  was  the 
only  thing,  and  because  it  was  small,  it  be- 
came prominent  and  noticeable.  One  of  the 
guests,  a  lady,  afterward  engaged  to  a  Beta 
Theta  Pi,  went  to  the  banquet  wearing  the 
badge  of  the  Beta  Theta  Pis.  She  wore  it  con- 
spicuously and  called  attention  to  it.  It  was 
exceedingly  poor  taste,  not  to  say  decidedly 
improper,  to  flourish  the  pin  of  a  rival  fraternity 
at  a  reception  given  in  honor  of  Sigma  Chi.  It 


46  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

was  a  firebrand  of  the  enemy.  Had  our  mem- 
bers not  been  perfect  gentlemen,  she  might  have 
spoiled  for  a  partner  to  dance  with,  or  expired 
for  want  of  a  dish  of  ice  cream;  as  it  was,  she  re- 
ceived the  homage  and  generous  treatment  of 
true  gentlemen,  who  sought  by  kindness  and 
quiet  dignity  to  turn  the  shafts  of  our  rivals 
upon  themselves. 

It  was  quite  late,  or  rather  quite  early,  when  the 
last  note  of  sweet  music  was  heard  and  this  happy 
company  dispersed.  The  gray  rnist  of  the  early 
morn  was  rising  from  the  lake,  the  moon  and 
stars  were  growing  dim,  the  chanticleer  had  just 
finished  his  morning  greeting,  when  we  "turned 
in  "  to  dream  of  the  gentle  words  "  Good-night ! 
Good  night  !  Bless  you,  Sigma  Chi  !" 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OMEGA'S  SLEIGH  RIDK>. 

IF  there  was  one  thing  more  than  another 
which  distinguished  the  years  1874  and  1875  in 
the  history  of  Omega,  it  was  the  unusual  number 
of  its  social  gatherings.  The  last  annual  banquet 
had  captivated  the  young  ladies,  and  they  were 
enthusiastic  in  their  expressions  of  praise  and 
admiration.  The  white  cross  was  often  worn  by 
them  and  the  general  current  of  social  thought 
and  action  was  centered  in  Sigma  Chi. 

The  snow  was  unusually  deep  during  the 
winter  term,  and  the  frequent  days  of  mild  tem- 
perature offered  many  occasions  for  sleigh  rides. 
These  were  readily  and  eagerly  taken.  Powers 
and  Schwall  had  a  large  double  sleigh  which 
would  accommodate  thirty  people,  and  this  at- 
tached to  four  spirited  horses  was  the  convey- 
ance often  used.  It  was  glorious  fun.  The  whole 
chapter  would  turn  out  and  secure  ladies,  and 
take  a  ride  through  the  town  and  adjoining  sub- 
urbs, singing  college  songs  and  relating  college 
pranks,  which  onl)r  college-bred  men  and  women 
can  fully  appreciate.  The  clear  moonlight  gave 
an  increased  charm  to  these  delightful  occasions. 
Sometimes  a  supper  would  be  given  and  some- 

47 


48  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

times  an  impromptu  dance  would  follow,  and 
sometimes  it  was  quite  late  before  the  fair  ones 
were  distributed  among  their  homes  or  let 
through  the  back  windows  of  the  Seminary. 
Sleigh-riding  became  such  a  fashion  that  it  was 
useless  to  suggest  or  try  to  have  a  different  kind 
of  amusement. 

All  went  well  until  one  night  in  February,  when 
Bros.  Hamline,  Early  and  others  "  bethought 
themselves  "  that  such  a  night  was  fit  for  the 
gods  to  enjoy.  It  was  seven  o'clock,  and  no  prepa- 
rations had  been  made.  The  scheme  was  de- 
veloped in  one  moment  and  undertaken  in  the 
next.  The  sleigh  was  procured  and  all  the  boys 
gathered  into  it.  "  Driver  !  "  shouted  the  coming 
judge,  "  make  for  the  Fern.  Sem.,"  and  without 
further  ceremony  the  party  went  whirling  around 
the  corner  and  soon  darted  into  the  yard  of  that 
attractive  place.  A  committee  was  selected  to 
wait  upon  the  Dean  to  get  her  permission  to 
allow  the  young  ladies  to  go.  It  was  such  a  dig- 
nified and  diplomatic  committee  that  it  might 
easily  have  assumed  the  task  of  determining 
more  weighty  questions  than  the  simple  assent 
of  the  Dean.  Its  mission  was  successful  all  in 
particulars,  the  only  injunction  being,  "Do  not 
stay  out  late,  but  return  by  ten  o'clock."  It  was 
then  discovered  that  the  young  ladies  were  not  in 
the  building.  They  had  gone  to  prayer  meeting. 


OMEGAS    SI. HIGH    RIDES.  49 

This  ji'tjs  a  predicament,  but,  nothing  daunted, 
"Andy,"  the  driver,  was  instructed  to  drive  to 
the  University,  where  the  protracted  meetings 
were  being  held.  Fortunately  the  young  ladies 
were  overtaken.  The  question  did  not  arise, 
"  What  would  you  rather  do  than  go  fishing;" 
but  when  they  heard  the  generous  invitation  to 
"jump  in,"  such  a  shout  of  joy  went  up  that  old 
Billy,  with  his  cyclopean  phiz,  came  around  the 
corner  of  the  University  building  to  see  what  all 
this  "rumpus"  was  about.  "All  right,  Andy," 
and  the  party  was  off.  "Which  way,  boys," 
he  asked.  "  South  Chicago!  "  shouted  a  trio  of 
voices,  and  away  they  went.  Everything  was 
lovely  as  could  be  (the  ladies  included,  of  course) 
until  near  Sunny  Side  a  sudden  stop  was  made. 
Andy  got  out  and  examined  the  horses  and  har- 
ness, and  discovered,  so  he  said,  that  one  of  the 
traces  wTas  broken.  "You  will  have  to  get  out, 
boys,  and  wait  till  I  can  mend  my  harness,"  and 
so  they  did,  and  the  young  ladies,  too.  Nothing 
would  be  so  enjoyable  now  as  a  supper.  The 
young  ladies  looked  at  the  clock.  It  was  nearly 
ten  o'clock.  "  No,  they  would  not  take  supper;" 
"they  must  go  right  home."  "The  Dean  would 
never  forgive  them."  But  Andy  was  not  ready, 
and  he  said  it  would  take  an  hour.  The  boys 
were  terribly  hungry,  and  not  a  little  nervous.  An 
oyster  supper  was  given  and  a  waltz  followed. 


50  HISTORY    OF    O.MKGA. 

The  time  passed  rapidly,  and  a  happier  crowd 
never  existed.  It  was  eleven  o'clock  when  the 
party  started  on  its  return,  and  it  was  twelve  be- 
fore the  fair  maidens  were  safely  behind  the 
bolted  doors  of  the  Seminary.  The  next  day  the 
sky  was  overhung  with  a  dark  hue.  A  storm  was 
brewing.  The  Dean  looked  thunder  and  light- 
ning. The  boys  quaked  and  the  girls  trembled. 
The  day  of  judgment  was  not  far  off.  The  edict 
went  forth,  "  No  more  sleigh  rides  ;  no  Sigma 
Chi  would  be  permitted  to  call  again  at  the  Sem- 
inary." "The  Sigma  Chis  were  no  gentlemen." 
So  said  the  edict,  and  so  said  some  of  the  young 
ladies,  who  feared  the  scorn  of  authority  more 
than  they  loved  the  friendship  of  Sigma  Chi. 
This  sleigh  ride  was  the  college  talk  for  some 
time,  and  the  subject  was  brought  into  the  faculty 
meetings,  but  for  sufficient  reasons  nothing  more 
was  done  about  it.  It  has  always  been  a  ques- 
tion whether  the  traces  really  broke  or  not,  and 
whether  the  driver  or  the  Sigma  Chis  concocted 
this  plan  for  obtaining  a  supper  and  a  longer  ride. 
The  reader  must  decide. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    PSI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT. 

THE  numerous  attempts  to  establish  a  chapter 
of  the  Psi  Upsilon  Fraternity  at  the  Northwestern 
University  have  affected  the  cause  of  Sigma  Chi  as 
much  as  the  combined  opposition  of  all  the  ^stab- 
lished  fraternities.  At  certain  times  the  influence 
of  Psi  Upsilon  has  been  most  effectual  in  ab- 
sorbing the  interest  and  good  will  of  our  frater- 
nity. It  is  pleasant  for  us  now  to  look  back 
over  these  struggles  and  contemplate  what  cer- 
tain members  of  the  college  tried  to  do,  and 
see  how  fortunately  their  plans  miscarried.  We 
do  not  attempt  any  apology  for  their  attitude  in 
this  matter,  but  we  are  willing  to  present  the  case 
and  leave  it  to  the  unprejudiced  to  determine 
whether  the  motives  of  these  men  had  the  correct 
ring  to  them  or  not.  There  were  reasons,  and 
justifiable  ones,  for  the  Psi  Upsilon  Fraternity  to 
establish  a  chapter  at  Northwestern.  It  can  be 
safely  affirmed,  beyond  the  question  of  a  doubt, 
that  any  other  chapter,  whether  in  the  Sigma 
Chi  Fraternity  or  not,  placed  in  the  same  circum- 
stances, subject  to  the  same  conditions  and  envi- 
ronment, and  animated  by  the  same  high  motives, 
would  have  seriously  considered  the  tempting 


52  HISTORY    OF    O.MKGA. 

scheme  that  was  concocted  here  by  the  Psi  Up- 
silon  men. 

There  are  times  when  the  greatest  good  to  the 
greatest  number  can  be  accomplished  only  by  the 
dissolution  of  the  most  sacred  ties.  At  one  time 
such  a  step  appeared  necessary  to  a  number  of 
the  members  of  the  different  fraternities  at  the 
Northwestern  University,  but  their  course  was 
not  sanctioned  by  the  power  which  acts  su- 
premely in  such  matters,  and  the  Psi  Upsilon 
movement  collapsed.  No  resurrection  has  yet 
occurred,  and  we  hope  none  ever  will.  It  is  the 
history  of  this  period,  so  pregnant  with  fraternity 
spirit,  and  especially  of  Psi  Upsilonism,  that  now 
claims  our  attention.  This  experience  in  the 
midst  of  great  excitement  and  trials  will  assist  us, 
no  doubt,  in  the  future  to  guard  better  and  more 
sacredly  the  honor  of  the  cross  which  glistens  on 
the  breast  of  each  Sigma  Chi. 

The  Psi  Upsilon  Fraternity  is  justly  regarded 
as  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  United  States.  It 
is  noted  for  its  conservatism  and  for  the  ability 
displayed  in  certain  directions,  which  has  marked 
the  work  of  the  executive  council  and  inspired 
the  order.  There  are  only  about  sixteen  chapters, 
and  these  are  located  principally  in  the  best  col- 
leges in  the  East.  Its  membership  is  large,  and 
is  principally  composed  of  men  of  high  culture 
and  distinction.  There  are  a  number  of  its  mem- 


THK    1'SI     ri'SII.ON     MOYF.MF.XT.  53 

bers  in  this  vicinity.  In  our  University  there  are 
two  professors  who  belong  to  it,  Robert  L.  Cum- 
nock  and  Henry  S.  Carhart.  It  has  long  been 
the  desire  of  the  local  Psi  Upsilons  to  have  a 
chapter  established  here.  They  appreciate  more 
than  their  eastern  brothers  possibly  can,  the  in- 
fluence and  future  of  our  institution.  In  every 
attempt  to  locate  a  Psi  Upsilon  chapter  here,  the 
members  to  compose  it  have  been  selected  from 
other  fraternities;  they  being  the  picked  men  of 
the  college.  The  first  attempt  was  made  in 
1872. 

The  Phi  chapter  of  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  Fra- 
ternity was  established  in  1869,  about  the  same 
time  as  the  organization  of  Omega.  It  was  com- 
posed of  good  men,  and  but  for  this  Psi  Upsilon 
movement  it  would  have  continued  and  been  our 
strongest  opponent.  The  matter  of  having  Psi 
Upsilon  represented  here  was  laid  before  Phi 
chapter  in  a  very  tempting  manner.  The  com- 
parison of  the  two  fraternities  brought  Psi  Upsi- 
lon out  in  strong  relief,  while  in  their  minds  the 
Phi  Gamma  Delta  suffered  a  total  eclipse.  This 
comparison,  together  with  the  florid  eloquence  of 
the  declamatory  professor,  secured  their  support 
to  the  movement.  As  individuals,  and  as  a  chap- 
ter, they  pledged  themselves  to  Psi  Upsilon. 
This  took  place  at  the  time  of  the  national  con- 
vention of  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  fraternitv 


54  HISTORY    OK    OMEGA. 

at  Philadelphia.  Mr.  James  H.  Raymond,  '71, 
was  a  Phi  delegate,  and  he  became  the  grand 
presiding  officer  of  the  convention.  More  than 
this,  it  was  expected  that  William  Cullen  Bry- 
ant, an  honorary  member  of  their  fraternity, 
would  deliver  an  address,  but  he  was  unable 
to  do  so,  and  at  the  last  moment  Mr.  Raymond 
was  persuaded  to  fill  the  position.  This  he 
did  with  a  two  hours'  speech,  and  "  reflected 
much  credit  on  his  chapter  and  the  University. 
When  he  returned  with  his  grip-sack  full  of  new 
constitutions,  forms  of  initiation,  pass-words 
and  grips,  his  honors  being  easy,  he  found  his 
chapter  soul  and  body  in  this  Psi  Upsilon  craze. 
With  all  the  glory  and  honor  acquired  for  him- 
self and  his  chapter,  his  brother  members  pre- 
ferred Psi  Upsilon  still. 

Before  ascertaining  whether  the  executive 
council  of  Psi  Upsilon  would  grant  them  a  char- 
ter, they  severed  all  connection  with  the  Phi 
Gamma  Delta  Fraternity.  They  returned  their 
charter  to  the  home  chapter  with  the  significant 
note  that  they  had  found  a  better  fraternity,  and 
had  no  further  use  of  the  friendship  or  fraternal 
association  of  the  Phi  Gamma  Deltas.  One  can 
imagine  the  reception  of  this  bit  of  news  after 
all  that  had  recently  transpired. 

Their  petition  to  Psi  Upsilon  was  then  pre- 
sented, acted  upon  promptly,  and  rejected.  It 


THK    PSI    Ul'SlLOX    MUVKMENT.  55 

was  a  great  disappointment,  and  one  which  has 
continued  to  this  day.  Its  twenty  members 
found  little  comfort  in  the  solitude  which  sepa- 
rated them,  not  only  from  their  old  order,  but 
from  all  the  Greek  fraternities.  They  felt  the 
loss  keenly,  and  especially  since  they  were  so 
"cordially  hated"  by  the  Phi  Gamma  Deltas  for 
their  ingratitude.  The  bond  of  good  fellowship; 
which  attains  its  highest  perfection  in  a  college 
secret  society,  was  forfeited  by  this  act,  and, 
worse  than  all,  has  been  denied  to  them  forever. 
In  the  spring  of  the  year  1875  the  movement 
for  a  Psi  Upsilon  chapter  received  a  fresh  and 
vigorous  impulse.  Under  the  expensive  inspira- 
tion of  the  president,  Charles  H.  Fowler,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  the  University  was  advertised  and  pushed 
forward  at  a  glorious  pace.  A  ponderous  cata- 
logue was  issued,  which  astonished  even  the 
students  when  they  found  through  it  what  a 
great  institution  they  were  attending.  It  pro- 
claimed to  the  world  that  here  was  "a  Univer- 
sity which  teaches  all  knowledge."  This  cata- 
logue was  on  much  the  same  plan  as  the  gorgeous 
posters  of  the  "greatest  show  on  earth."  There 
was  a  failure  to  play  the  bill  advertised.  It  soon 
passed  into  history  as  a  by-word,  and  is  now  cur- 
rently known  as  "Fowler's  $2,000  catalogue." 
This  is  only  one  instance  of  what  was  done  under 
the  new  administration  to  make  this  University 


56  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

if  possible  to  the  West  what  Harvard  and  Yale 
are  at  the  East.  And,  strange  as  it  may  appear, 
these  cunning  Psi  Upsilons  thought  that  the  es- 
tablishment of  one  of  their  chapters  here  would 
give  the  University  a  higher  social  standing,  and 
bring  more  of  the  better  class  of  students,  such 
as  were  interested  in  this  movement,  and  whose 
presence  would  be  a  flattering  testimonial  for 
any  institution  to  acquire.  The  president  was  as 
enthusiastic  in  this  scheme  as  the  Psi  Upsilon 
professors,  because  he  thought  he  saw  in  it 
another  means  of  advancing  the  interests  of  the 
University  in  the  line  of  progress  which  he  had 
so  grandly  formed  in  his  mind. 

A  regular  campaign  was  laid  out  and  it  was 
determined  that  nothing  should  be  left  undone 
to  secure  the  coveted  prize.  The  best  cards  must 
be  played  in  order  to  win.  That  no  enthusiasm 
might  be  lost  it  was  necessary  to  act  promptly 
and  zealously.  While  in  point  of  fact  it  was 
carefully  planned  beforehand  by  the  Psi  Upsilon 
men,  this  whole  movement  assumed  the  attitude 
of  a  spontaneous  impulse.  Everyone  interested 
was  to  be  eager  to  have  it  carried  out,  and  that, 
too,  in  a  hurry.  It  was  a  new  business  for  a  Uni- 
versity faculty  to  be  engaged  in.  It  was  a  new 
and  original  idea  for  it  to  promulgate,  that  the 
establishment  of  a  certain  secret  fraternity  here 
would  bring  renown  to  the  University,  and  give 


THE    1'Sl    I  PS1I.ON    MOVEMENT,  57 

substantial  assistance  in  its  advancement.  It  was 
an  adroit  move,  and  Psi  Upsilon  deserves  credit 
for  it.  It  threw  these  boys  clear  off  of  their 
guard.  Nothing  could  seem  more  unselfish,  and 
nothing  could  appeal  more  strongly  to  college 
patriotism.  In  fact,  Psi  Upsilon,  it  was  claimed, 
could  do  wondrous  things  for  the  University. 
The  first  move  was  to  interest  the  Sigma  Chis. 

Extracts  from  published  papers  were  exhibited 
giving  accounts  of  brilliant  receptions  of  Psi 
Upsilon,  and  of  the  prominent  places  occupied 
by  her  members.  The  high  standard  of  the  fra- 
ternity was  voiced  by  everyone  conversant  with 
Greek  fraternities.  We  were  told  how  our  pro- 
fessor in  elocution  was  received  in  the  different 
chapters  where  he  had  recently  made  visits.  The 
gorgeous  halls,  filled  with  choice  works  of  art, 
how  they  were  arranged,  with  libraries,  pianos; 
and  a  stage,  where  amateur  theatricals  were  fre- 
quently given  for  the  delectation  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  fraternity.  Hospitality  was  one  of 
the  cardinal  virtues  of  the  society;  and  if  per- 
chance we  should  become  Psi  Upsilons  in  good 
and  regular  standing,  and  should  ever  visit  the 
East,  we  would  be  received  in  a  royal  manner 
and  feasted  on  the  best  the  land  could  produce. 
The  Psi  Upsilon  Fraternity  men  must  be  mag- 
nificent entertainers,  and  to  mingle  with  them  in 


58  HISTORY  OF  OMK<;A. 

their  elegant  ways  and  apartments  must  be  high 
honor  indeed. 

Furthermore,  we  had  promises  of  a  substantial 
character  from  some  of  the  wealthy  Psi  Upsilons. 
It  was  proposed  to  have  a  hall  of  our  own,  and 
they  would  see  that  the  money  would  be  given 
to  pay  for  it.  In  the  meantime  a  large  room  was 
engaged  over  Suhr's  grocery  store,  which  was  to 
answer  our  purposes  till  the  proposed  Psi  Upsilon 
building  was  completed  It  was  evident  to  the 
student  mind  that  to  be  hand  and  glove  with 
the  professors  in  the  same  fraternity  would  be 
of  the  greatest  benefit.  All  of  these  questions 
were  carefully  weighed  by  our  men;  but  even 
these  would  not  have  been  considered  if  the  rela- 
tions of  Omega  with  her  sister  chapters  had  been 
of  a  nature  to  draw  forth  a  greater  amount 
of  fraternal  spirit.  There  was  no  Sigma  Chi 
magazine  published  at  that  time,  and  the  frater- 
nity had  not  fully  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
the  war  and  reconstruction.  There  was  scarcely 
any  visiting  done  between  the  different  chapters, 
and  the  government  of  the  fraternity  by  one 
chapter  was  far  from  satisfactory.  We  were  the 
only  chapter  of  the  fraternity  in  the  state,  and 
were,  to  many  intents  and  purposes,  isolated,  so 
that  our  allegiance  to  our  own  fraternity  was 
easily  shaken  by  these  glowing  prospects  held 
up  before  us.  'It  is  true  a  correspondence  was 


THE    PSI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT.  59 

kept  up  with  a  few  of  the  chapters,  but  it  was 
meager  and  quite  unsatisfactory.  There  seemed 
to  be  nothing  outside  of  our  chapter  to  arouse  a 
cordial  discussion  of  the  methods  of  conducting 
a  fraternity,  or  to  enlist  a  hearty  interchange  of 
ideas.  We  were,  in  fact,  surrounded  only  by  the 
ties  of  our  own  brotherhood.  The  sum  and  sub- 
stance of  the  whole  affair  was,  the  Sigma  Chi 
Fraternity  did  not  appear  to  offer  the  full  measure 
of  present  good  and  future  greatness  which  the 
glorified  vision  of  Psi  Upsilon  did,  and  we  con- 
sented to  become  Psi  Upsilons,  if  we  were  prop- 
erly solicited,  and  if  we  could  sever  our  connec- 
tion with  Sigma  Chi  in  a  fair  and  honorable 
manner,  but  the  solicitation  was  to  come  first. 

Very  suddenly,  and  in  a  mysterious  manner, 
Professor  Carhart  went  to  New  York  to  present 
the  matter  before  the  executive  council,  and 
have  a  committee  appointed  to  come  here  and 
investigate  and  report  on  the  feasibility  of  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  chapter.  The  mission  was  more 
than  successful,  and  forthwith  a  committee  of 
two  was  appointed,  one  member  of  it  a  graduate 
of  Yale,  and  the  other  of  Amherst.  The  profes- 
sor returned  filled  with  high  hopes  of  the  success 
of  the  scheme.  It  was  determined  to  start  off 
with  a  good  large  chapter.  One  of  the  condi- 
tions required  by  our  brothers  who  were  inter- 
ested in  this  movement,  if  it  proved  successful, 


60  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

was  that  all  of  the  members  of  Omega  should 
be  adopted  into  the  Psi  Upsilon  Fraternity.  The 
active  men  would  not  consent  to  be  separated 
from  those  who  were  nearer  to  them  than  broth- 
ers or  sisters.  There  was  no  objection  to  this, 
as  all  of  our  men  were  considered  good  enough 
material  for  Psi  Upsilon.  But  the  members  of 
the  other  fraternities  were  regarded  with  less 
favor.  They  had  some  choice  men,  but  they  also 
had  a  great  many  quite  undesirable,  if  not  objec- 
tionable, persons.  Those  who  were  selected  and 
who  were  in  happy  accord  with  the  whole  project 
were  J.  A.  J.  Whipple,  Lucius  L.  Coleman,  and 
William  L.  Martin,  of  the  Phi  Kappa  Sigma,  and 
John  Jacob  Crist  and  Thomas  C.  Warrington, 
of  the  Beta  Theta  Pi.  There  were  altogether 
about  twenty  five  students  and  graduates  inter- 
ested in  this  movement.  They  were  all,  as  Judge 
Tourgee  said  of  the  Revolutionary  P'athers, 
"bang-up  good  men,"  and  would  have  made  an 
exceptionally  strong  chapter. 

The  committee  from  New  York,  upon  its  arrival 
in  Chicago,  was  taken  to  the  Grand  Pacific  hotel 
and  was  quartered  in  the  princely  rooms  gen- 
erally used  by  the  presidents,  lords,  and  distin- 
guished persons,  when  stopping  there.  It  was 
quietly  and  modestly  stated  that  the  North- 
western UniveVsity  owned  the  land  on  which  this 
palatial  hotel  was  built,  and  that  the  rental  in 


THE    1'SI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT.  6 1 

1890  would  be  something  fabulous.  The  com- 
mittee spent  a  number  of  days  in  looking  over 
the  city,  examining  the  merits  and  possibilities  of 
the  University,  and  testing  the  social  qualities  of 
the  prospective  members  of  their  fraternity.  The 
president  of  the  University  treated  the  project 
with  unusual  good  grace,  and  extended  to  the 
committee  a  cordial  hospitality.  He  entertained 
the  committee  with  a  private  and  elaborate  din- 
ner, at  which  a  number  of  the  most  active  per- 
sons interested  in  the  scheme  were  present.  The 
night  previous  to  the  committee's  departure  a 
grand  banquet  was  given  at  the  old  Lakeside 
hall.  There  were  present  all  the  Psi  Upsilon  men 
who  could  be  found  within  a  radius  of  twenty 
miles  of  the  village.  Our  crafty  president  was 
there  to  manipulate  the  train  of  thought  and  to 
entertain  the  company  with  his  famous  stories. 
Distinguished  Psi  Upsilons  paid  glowing  tributes 
to  their  fraternity,  and  with  becoming  grace  spoke 
pleasantly  of  the  men  whom  they  hoped  to  call 
brothers.  It  was  a  brilliant  affair,  and  the  feel- 
ing displayed  on  the  subject  of  Psi  Upsilon  was 
noticed  to  be  particularly  harmonious.  Toasts 
were  given,  college  glees  were  sung,  and  the 
whole  evening  was  consumed  in  a  most  convivial 
manner.  The  reception  of  the  committee  and 
all  the  attending  negotiations  were  thus  far  satis- 
factory. The  committee  expressed  the  highest 


62  HISTORY    OV    OMEGA. 

admiration  for  the  men  whom  it  had  met, 
and  for  the  geneious  and  delightful  entertain- 
ment provided  for  it.  It  was  filled  with  the 
highest  praises  in  our  favor.  In  its  estimation 
the  University  was  good  enough  for  Psi  Upsilon. 
It  really  thought  our  men. would  be  an  honor,  a 
great  acquisition,  to  its  fraternity.  This  was  all 
very  nice.  It  was  pleasant  to  be  considered 
worthy  of  such  high  honor. 

Let  no  one,  however,  imagine  that  the  com- 
mittee escaped  a  searching  examination  con- 
cerning the  merits  and  demerits  of  the  fraternity 
it  represented.  It  was  essential  for  our  men, 
especially,  to  obtain  and  verify  all  the  informa- 
tion possible  of  that  fraternity  before  they  would 
take  the  final  step  of  withdrawing  from  the 
Sigma  Chi  Fraternity.  The  committee  was  asked 
what  report  would  be  made  in  the  matter.  Its 
reply  was  very  favorable,  everything  that  could 
be  asked.  In  fact,  it  desired  the  report  to  be  as 
strong  a  document  in  our  favor  as  possible.  It 
was  suggested  that  Professors  Carhart  and  Cum- 
nock  should  write  the  report.  The  case  could 
not  be  made  too  strong,  and  the  committee 
would  adopt  it.  With  this  masterly  document, 
the  combined  effort  and  free  gift  of  our  learned 
professors,  the  committee  departed.  The  im- 
pression it  left  was,  that  there  was  no  question 
of  the  final  success  of  the  movement. 


THE    PSI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT.  63 

Preparations  were  to  be  made  for  going  to  Ann 
Arbor,  where  there  was  a  large  and  efficient  chap- 
ter of  Psi  Upsilon,  to  have  the  mystic  initiation 
performed.  Hon.  Perry  H.  Smith,  of  Chicago, 
tendered  the  use  of  his  private  car  for  conveying 
the  party  when  the  time  should  arrive.  The  last 
of  June,  after  commencement,  was  the  time  set 
for  the  grand  pilgrimage.  The  committee  re- 
ported to  the  executive  council,  and  then  it  be- 
came necessary  to  have  the  affirmative  vote  of 
every  chapter.  The  report  of  the  vote  of  each 
chapter  as  it  came  in  was  sent  here  at  once. 
Everything  looked  hopeful.  The  affirmative  vote 
was  received  from  twelve  chapters,  then  came 
three  negative  votes,  the  only  opposition  made, 
in  the  fraternity.  A  special  report  was  prepared 
and  sent  to  each  of  the  three  chapters  voting  no, 
asking  for  a  reconsideration  of  their  votes.  This 
was  done  by  two  chapters,  which  then  voted 
affirmatively.  One  chapter  still  voted  no.  It 
was,  let  it  be  known,  Iota  Chapter,  at  Kenyon 
College,  Gambier,  Ohio.  All  the  pressure  and 
influence,  outside  of  a  moneyed  consideration, 
was  brought  to  bear  on  this  chapter,  but  it  was 
of  no  avail.  Its  action  had  every  appearance  of 
being  a  clear  and  decided  case  of  obstinacy  and 
spite.  The  chapter  was  unquestionably  the  most 
insignificant  in  the  fraternity.  It  was  nearly  dead, 
and,  in  fact,  did  die  within  a  year  from  that  time. 


64  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  express  the  indignation 
felt  over  this  provoking  defeat.  Dr.  Fovv lei- 
wanted  the  most  wicked  man  in  town  employed 
to  swear  for  him.  The  air  assumed  a  sulphurous 
hue  whenever  the  affair  was  mentioned.  The 
Psi  Upsilon  men  here  had  been  treated  shabbily, 
and  they  did  not  hesitate  to  show  the  depth  of 
their  indignation  and  chagrin.  It  was  some  time 
before  the  affair  could  be  talked  of  in  a  simple, 
philosophical  manner,  and  looked  at  in  its  proper 
light.  The  deed  was  done  and  there  was  no 
remedy.  The  feelings  of  Omega's  members  were 
mildly  lacerated.  They  were  not  filled,  however, 
with  the  same  depth  of  disappointment  and  pro- 
fane anger  that  stirred  the  other  interested  par- 
ties. The  enthusiasm  for  Psi  Upsilon  soon  van- 
ished. A  reaction  took  place,  and  there  were 
many  things  said  that  plainly  showed  that  her 
faults  had  been  fully  noticed.  Interest  in  Sigma 
Chi  increased,  and  it  seemed  better  adapted  to 
the  wants  and  purposes  of  our  chapter  than  ever 
before. 

Through  this  intense  excitement  and  disap- 
pointment there  came  wisdom  to  Omega.  She 
realized  what  was  never  fully  appreciated  before, 
the  moral  hazard  in  attempting  this  change.  The 
oaths  taken  in  Sigma  Chi  are  obligatory  for  all 
time;  and  as  we  now  regard  the  matter,  nothing 
can  be  more  difficult  than  to  effect  a  change  from 


THK    PSI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT.  65 

Sigma  Chi  to  another  fraternity.  If  our  vows 
are  of  any  force  whatever,  this  cannot  be  done, 
unless,  perchance,  one  is  expelled.  A  Sigma  Chi 
cannot  join  another  fraternity  without  commit- 
ting moral  perjury.  The  whole  question  rests 
on  the  quality  of  this  moral  obligation.  Our 
fidelity  to  the  fraternity  is  required  through 
adversity  as  well  as  through  prosperity,  through 
trials  and  disappointments,  youth  and  old  age. 
This  question  of  fidelity,  which  was  guaranteed 
by  solemn  oaths,  would  have  been  presented 
when  the  time  came  for  separation,  and  on  this 
rock  the  chapter  would  have  gone  in  pieces.  In 
the  enthusiasm  and  zeal  for  the  new  movement,  the 
question  did  not  arise,  but  the  chapter  would  have 
had  to  meet  it  and  determine  the  value  of  these 
oaths.  It  is  fortunate  the  matter  did  not  take 
this  issue.  It  was  fortunate,  too,  for  Omega  and 
Sigma  Chi  that  the  Psi  Upsilon  movement  failed 
just  when  it  did.  No  one  here  was  to  blame. 
There  were  no  dissensions  within  or  without  the 
chapter.  Finally  the  conditions  of  invitation 
presented  to  the  men  here  to  enter  the  Psi  Upsi- 
lon fraternity  were  never  completed,  and  they 
withdrew  from  the  compact,  without  loss  of 
honor,  and  without  causing  their  fraternities  to 
suffer  at  the  hands  of  their  Greek  opponents. 

As  we  contemplate  the  two  fraternities  to-day, 
\ve  are   not  sorrv  one  whit  that  the  movement 


66  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

failed.  The  Psi  Upsilon  fraternity  is,  as  has 
been  said,  conservative — conservative  to  the  ex- 
tent of  being  aristocratic.  Like  all  aristocracies, 
wealth  is  the  sum  and  substance  of  its  existence. 
This  movement  is  an  example  of  how  one  chap- 
ter may  defeat  the  combined  wish  of  all  the  other 
chapters,  no  matter  how  wise  or  how  prudent  the 
cause  may  be.  It  is  a  serious  defect  in  her  form 
of  government,  but  she  is  so  conservative  that 
she  would  never  think  of  modifying  or  liberaliz- 
ing it.  Then  Psi  Upsilon  is  an  Eastern  frater- 
nity. No  great  crime,  we  admit,  but  to  Western 
young  men,  whose  lives  have  been  cradled  in  this 
great  West,  and  who  expect  to  remain  here  and 
grow  up  with  the  people  and  the  great  enter- 
prises centered  here,  a  Western  fraternity  is  far 
preferable  for  them  to  join.  They  will  find  many 
more  men  of  the  Western  fraternities  than  they 
will  of  those  belonging  to  an  Eastern  fraternity 
like  Psi  Upsilon.  The  benefits  and  emoluments 
derived  from  fraternities  are  not  restricted  to 
college  halls;  we  find  their  influence  in  all  the 
walks  of  life,  and  they  have  become  a  power  for 
good  and  a  means  of  success  to  many  a  graduate 
in  his  after-college  career.  In  all  this  Western 
empire  these  young  men  will  find  through  the 
influence  of  the  Western  fraternity  easy  access  to 
social  and  professional  advancement.  One  of  the 
honored  disciples  of  Psi  Upsilon  boasts  of  the 


THE    PSI    UPSILON    MOVEMENT.  67 

fact  "  that  nothing  is  known  of  his  fraternity." 
We  quote  from  the  official  magazine  of  the  Psi 
Upsilon  fraternity,  which  exhibits  its  peculiar 
conservative  policy  in  another  form:  "We  an- 
nounce as  an  established  policy  of  the  Diamond, 
not  to  exchange  with  any  fraternity  journal. 
*  *  *  Psi  Upsilon  has  formed  her  policy  inde- 
pendent of  any  fraternity  for  fifty  years,  and  will 
continue  the  same  course  fifty  years  longer,  as  far 
as  the  Diamond  is  concerned.  Exchanging  is  one 
of  the  first  stages  of  panhellenism,  with  which 
we  have  no  sympathy  whatever."  It  is  seldom 
one  finds  a  fraternity  which  courts  oblivion  in 
this  way.  In  comparison  with  the  progressive 
Greeks,  it  must  be  candidly  admitted  that  Psi 
Upsilon  has  relatively  lost  ground. 

On  the  other  hand,  Sigma  Chi  has  won  steadily 
by  her  strict  regard  for  principle,  and  by  culti- 
vating the  higher  and  nobler  qualities  of  the 
heart  and  mind.  She  is  now  under  the  most 
unique  form  of  government  known  in  the  history 
of  fraternities.  She  has  shown  remarkable. en- 
ergy and  discretion  in  the  management  of  her 
affairs,  and  in  this  way  she  has  acquired  an  hon- 
orable position  among  the  leading  Greek  frater- 
nities of  the  United  States.  Being  so  strongly 
represented  in  the  West  and  South,  she  com- 
mends herself  most  favorably  to  the  young  men 
of  these  sections  of  the  country.  The  Sigma 


68  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Chi,  the  official  magazine  of  the  fraternity,  is  not 
only  recognized  by  our  members  as  being  of  in- 
calculable value  to  them,  but  is  regarded  with 
the  highest  favor  by  its  cotemporaries.  It 
stands  in  the  first  rank  of  the  Greek  society  pub- 
lications, and  is  a  worthy  index  of  the  progres- 
sive and  high-standard  policy  of  the  Sigma  Chi 
Fraternity. 

Sigma  Chi  has  enlarged  her  field  of  operation 
by  establishing  chapters  in  colleges  where  there 
are  men  qualified  to  honor  and  strengthen  the 
fraternity.  Her  history  for  the  past  decade  has 
been  one  of  wonderful  achievements,  and  we 
may  safely  hope,  without  doubt  of  its  fulfillment, 
for  greater  and  better  results  to  come  during  the 
next  ten  years. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    BOYS   OF    SIGMA    CHI. 
Tune — "Last  Cigar." 

COME,  gather  now,  my  brothers  all, 

And  raise  your  voices  high, 
Till  all  around  repeats  the  sound, 

Hurrah  for  Sigma  Chi  ! 
What  though  life's  storms  may  buffet  us  ? 

Their  fury  we  defy  ; 
For  here's  a  band  will  by  us  stand, 

The  boys  of  Sigma  Chi. 

Chorus: 

The  boys  of  Sigma  Chi,  the  boys  of  Sigma'Chi, 

For  here's  a  band  will  by  us  stand. 
The  boys  of  Sigma  Chi. 

Though  all  that  glitters  is  not  gold, 

And  fickle  friends  may  fly, 
We  find  no  dross  where  shines  the  cross 

Of  glorious  Sigma  Chi. 
When  doubt  and  danger  gather  round. 

With  trust  we  will  rely 
Upon  the  breast  whereon  doth  rest 

The  cross  of  Sigma  Chi. 

Chorus: 

The  cross  of  Sigma  Chi!  we  ever  will  rely 

Upon  the  breast  whereon  doth  rest 
The  cross  of  Sigma  Chi. 
69 


70  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

And  now  we  pledge  our  lady  friends, 

Whose  smiles  are  our  delight; 
Their  voices  clear  enchant  the  ear, 

Their  faces  charm  the  sight. 
With  joy  we  haste  those  friends  to  meet, 

The  parting  costs  a  sigh; 
May  fortune  rare  attend  the  fair, 

The  friends  of  Sigma  Chi. 

Chorus: 

The  friends  of  Sigma  Chi,  fair  friends  of  Sigma 

Chi; 

May  fortune  rare  attend  the  fair, 
The  friends  of  Sigma  Chi. 

Our  future  life  may  sever  us, 

Our  paths  be  far  apart, 
Yet  mem'ries  dear  will  draw  us  near, 

In  union  of  the  heart. 
And  though  our  future  cares  and  ills 

We'll  meet  with  courage  high, 
Our  hearts  will  pine  for  Auld  Lang  Syne, 

And  glorious  Sigma  Chi. 

•Chorus: 

For  glorious  Sigma  Chi,  for  glorious  Sigma  Chi ; 

Our  hearts  will  pine  for  Auld  Lang  Syne, 
And  glorious  Sigma  Chi. 

w.  M.  BOOTH,  '78. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SOME    COMICAL    EVENTS    AT    OMEGA. 

There  have  occurred  some  humorous  and  laugh- 
able events  In  the  history  of  Omega.  Brief  men- 
tion may  be  made  of  a  few.  One  evening,  when 
Bro.  Gillet  was  being  made  familiar  with  the 
antics  of  the  goat,  it  was  determined  that  no 
boisterousness  should  be  allowed.  Everything 
must  be  done  in  a  quiet  manner,  and  if  possible 
at  a  certain  time  a  studied  and  death-pervading 
silence  must  be  produced.  At  this  particular 
time  Bro.  Cooper,  who  was  a  splendid  musician, 
and  who  could  play  a  tune  on  almost  everything, 
from  a  piano  to  a  piece  of  stovepipe,  undertook  to 
play  on  a  glass  funnel  which  was  used  in  the  gal- 
lery for  filtering  nitric  silver.  He  succeeded  in 
finishing  his  pet  tune  amid  the  bursts  of  laughter 
of  his  brothers.  The  acid,  however,  had  not 
been  entirely  removed  from  the  funnel,  and  some 
of  it  got  on  his  lips  and  face.  The  joke  devel- 
oped the  next  morning  in  the  blazing  sun,  when 
he  found  a  beautiful  black  ring  around  his 
mouth  and  black  spots  here  and  there  on  his 
face.  These  he  carried  several  days,  to  the 
amusement  of  all  his  friends  who  knew  the 
cause  thereof. 


72  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Whenever  anything  new  in  the  way  of  amuse- 
ments was  found,  it  was  always  brought  to  the 
society  hall  to  be  tested.  The  roller  skates 
were  coming  into  fashion,  and  it  happened  that 
A.  D.  Early  was  there  that  night.  He  tried 
them,  and  tried  hard,  but  somehow  or  other  he 
could  not  manage  them.  He  cut  all  the  fancy 
figures,  and  runs  too.  Those  who  saw  him  will 
never  forget  it.  It  seems  as  if  there  was  more 
side-splitting  laughter  then  than  ever  before  or 
since  in  the  society. 

Policeman  Carney  was  a  terror  to  the  students 
in  former  years.  One  night,  when  several  of  the 
Sigma  Chi  boys  were  taking  a  walk  near  the 
Lighthouse,  one  of  them  shouted  to  C.  T.  Drake, 
who  was  lagging  behind,  that  Carney  was  com- 
ing. Well,  if  you  could  have  seen  him  !  He 
literally  plowed  the  ground  for  three  blocks.  He 
must  have  tumbled  down  half-a-dozen  times  in 
his  attempted  flight  from  the  grim  clutches  of 
the  constabulary.  First  he  went  down  in  a  ditch, 
then  over  a  fence,  then  he  bit  the  silent  earth, 
and  finally,  from  sheer  exhaustion,  he  landed 
prostrate  in  a  patch  of  mullein  stalks.  It  will 
always  excite  a  laugh  from  all  those  who  remem- 
ber the  scene.  The  funny  part  of  it  all  was,  that 
Carney  was  not  within  a  mile  of  the  place. 

C.  W.  Draper  was  very  fond  of  horses,  and 
always  seemed  to  enjoy  the  nice  appointments  of 


SOME    COMICAL    EVENTS    AT    OMEGA.  73 

a  good  stable.  Bro.  Hamline  had  a  barn,  in 
which  he  had  a  stud  of  horses  to  be  proud  of. 
The  "hatchway"  was  particularly  useful,  and  the 
manner  of  feeding  the  horses  was  so  unique  that 
Mr.  Draper  was  given  a  private  exhibition  of  the 
many  features  of  this  excellent  stable.  He  said 
afterwards  that  the  "  fodder  act "  was  the  best  he 
had  ever  seen. 

Omega  has  had  some  wonderful  men,  but  with- 
out exhibiting  any  preferences  we  may  be  excused 
for  mentioning  the  astounding  feat  that  Frank 
E.  Knappen  once  performed.  I  think  it  was  the 
first  time  he  was  in  the  hall.  In  order  to  bring 
out  the  qualities  and  excellencies  of  strangers, 
the  boys  used  to  have  them  do  some  little  thing, 
as  climb  a  door,  or  walk  down  a  ladder  head 
foremost,  or  dance  a  jig  in  a  stretched  blanket. 
These  are  all  very  pleasant  parlor  amusements, 
and  it  is  surprising  they  have  not  been  found 
outside  of  college  precincts.  But  Mr.  Knappen 
had  artistic  aspirations.  He  wanted  to  fresco 
the  ceiling  of  the  hall  with  his  feet;  and  when 
one  remembers  his  unusual  length,  the  act  does 
not  seem  at  all  preposterous.  But  even  his  lengthy 
legs  were  unable  to  do  him  the  service  he  so 
earnestly  desired,  and  it  was  necessary  to  call  in 
the  aid  of  his  friends.  The  contrivance  used  was 
a  blanket.  They  laid  Mr.  Knappen  out  in  this 
and,  with  brush  in  one  hand  and  his  pallet  of 


74  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

colors  in  the  other,  he  prepared  himself  for  the 
novel  expedition  to  the  ceiling.  The  boys  gath- 
ered around  and  tossed  him  up  a  number  of 
times,  and  every  time  he  shot  up,  with  the  most 
accelerated  movements  he  was  able  to  paint  a 
perfect  picture.  He  gave  a  scriptural  name  to 
every  picture  he  made,  and  it  was  remarkable 
what  a  fund  of  names  and  subjects  he  produced. 
These  frescoes,  by  the  process  of  age,  have  be- 
come imbedded  in  the  ceiling,  and  are  only  par- 
tially visible  to-day. 

In  matters  of  ceremony,  Bro.  A.  D.  Early  has 
probably  never  had  an  equal  in  our  chapter.  He 
had  a  commanding  presence,  and  his  utterances 
were  marked  with  an  emphasis  and  an  originality 
that  have  left  their  impressions  to  this  day.  He 
was  a  custos  at  one  time,  an  officer  of  dignity 
and  honor.  He  was  doing  his  interrogatories  in  a 
very  satisfactory  manner,  when  some  one  sprang 
a  college  joke,  or  "  chestnut,"  on  him.  He  had 
started,  "  Is  he  a  worthy,"  etc.,  but  at  that  point 
he  could  not  restrain  from  laughing,  and  he  had 
the  merriest  and  heartiest  laugh,  too.  Out  it 
came,  a  bursting,  bubbling  shout.  "Is  he  a 
worthy  boo,  who,  who?"  Then  everyone  else 
boo,  who,  whoed,  and  made  the  welkin  ring. 
This  boo,  who,  who  business  was  immediately 
adopted,  and  has  supplied  its  portion  to  the  fund 
of  mirth  ever  since. 


M)MK  COMICAL  EVENTS  AT  OMEGA.  75 

ONE  OF  KNAPPEN'S  STORIES. 

Greek  Lexicons  "came  high  "  in  1873  and  1874, 
when  the  class  of  '77,  at  the  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity were  needing  the  services  of  the  same  in 
college,  and  I  have  no  doubt  they  do  now,  for 
that  matter.  I  had  a  chum  in  those  days  named 
J.  D.  Andrews,  of  the  same  class,  who  was  called 
"  Deck  "  for  short.  We  needed  a  complete,  full 
and  unabridged  lexicon  for  use  as  above  indi- 
cated, and  we  both  tried  to  purchase  second- 
hand ones  if  they  were  in  fairly  good  condi- 
tion, and  save  the  large  amount  necessary  to 
become  the  sole  proprietors  of  a  bran-new  one 
from  the  bookstore.  The  price  of  them  new  was 
$5.40.  I  hunted  some  time,  made  numerous  and 
vain  inquiries,  and  finally  bought  a  new  one  for 
the  price  stated. 

One  day  "Deck,"  who  did  not  know  exactly 
the  price  of  them  when  new,  but  only  knew  they 
were  expensive,  came  home  with  a  smile  all  over 
his  face,  and  so  pleased  about  something  that  he 
did  not  know  how  to  begin  to  express  himself. 
I  said:  "  Deck,  what's  the  matter?"  He  said: 
"I  have  made  a  bargain  that  t's  a  bargain,"  and 
throwing  a  large  bundle  upon  the  bed,  said: 
"Look  at  that."  I  took  the  bundle  up,  took  off 
the  wrapper,  and  saw  it  was  a  second-hand 
Greek  lexicon.  It  was  not  as  good  as  new,  be- 
cause the  cover  on  one  side  was  off,  the  leaves 


76  HISTORY    OF"    OMEGA. 

torn  out  without  any  apparent  plan  or  system, 
and  those  that  were  left  were  covered  with  fly 
specks  so  generally  that  many  words  were  en- 
tirely illegible,  and  others  seemed  to  be  made  up 
of  a  succession  of  i's.  I  looked  it  over,  and  said: 
"Deck,  where  did  you  find  it?"  "Find  it!  "  said 
he,  "  Hades,  I  bought  it,  and  got  it  cheap,  too. 
That  saves  paying  full  price  when  one  takes  time 
to  look  around  a  little."  The  lexicon  had  tags 
on  the  margin,  at  the  beginning  of  each  letter,  to 
assist  one  in  finding  and  turning  to  the  words 
readily.  New  ones  did  not  have  these  tags. 
Some  of  the  tags  had,  however,  outlived  their 
usefulness  and  "gone  hence."  I  looked  at  it 
again,  and  while  examining  it,  it  slipped  out  of 
my  hands  and  about  forty-eight  leaves  came  out, 
the  back  of  the  book  being  weak  and  somewhat 
exhausted.  I  gathered  the  ruins  up  and  laid  them 
on  the  bed,  and  said  I:  "Deck,  how  much  did 
you  give  for  the — the — the — bundle?"  "Why," 
said  Deck,  "I  only  gave  $6.25  for  it!"  "Why," 
said  I,  "  new  ones  cost  only  $5.40!  "  Deck  looked 
me  in  the  face  and,  driven  by  the  extremities  of 
the  situation  to  some  justification  for  an  appar- 
ent foolish  purchase,  blurted  out:  "Well,  great 
Scott,  don't  you  see  them  tags?"  His  profanity 
was  undoubtedly  induced,  and  perhaps  partially 
excused,  by  Deck's  feelings  of  chagrin  and  dis- 
appointment. He  heard  the  story  told  before 


SOME    COMICAL    EVENTS    AT    O.MKC.A.  J't 

his  course  in  college  was  finished,  if  I  remember 
right,  1,639  times.  It  is  but  fair  to  say  that 
others  enjoyed  it  even  more  than  Deck  did,  as  it 
was  invariably  told  in  his  presence.  Deck  is  now 
a  physician,  if  I  am  correctly  informed,  and  as  he 
stood  first-class  as  a  student,  I  am  sure  he  ranks 
high  in  his  profession.  While  I  have  told  this 
story  before,  yet  I  am  sadly  conscious  that  I  have 
omitted  many  interesting  and  material  details 
connected  therewith,  and  if  no  one  else  will,  I 
am  absolutely  certain  that  "  Deck"  will  forgive 
me  for  leaving  them  out.  Deck  also  denied  that 
he  was  guilty  of  the  use  of  the  euphonious  but 
ungrammatical  expression,  "them  tags,"  but  it 
was  told  so  often  that  it  seems  now  as  if  I  could 
hear  Deck  speak  the  very  words  themselves,  but 
it  may  be  from  frequent  repetition  of  the  story. 


CHAPTER    X. 

DRIFTWOOD  —  FOUR      COLLEGE      YEARS,     1874-1878. 

MY  thoughts  run  back  in  a  day-dream  of 
almost  forgotten  events.  The  driftwood  goes 
floating  by,  scattered  and  shifting  and  fragment- 
ary, leaving  its  stranded  recollections.  The 
picture  must  be  incomplete  and  full  of  errors, 
but  it  is  fixed  in  my  mind;  I  cannot  alter  it 
now. 

i — SIGMA  CHI,   1874-75. 

The  college  year  of  1874-75  opened  auspi- 
ciously for  Omega.  The  Northwestern  University 
was  reaping,  in  a  large  attendance,  the  fruits  of 
Fowler's  energetic  management.  A  far-sighted 
person  might  even  then  have  suspected  that  a 
collapse  was  imminent,  but  no  sign  of  the  com- 
ing reaction  as  yet  appeared  upon  the  surface  of 
events.  There  was  a  feeling  of  buoyancy  in  all 
minds,  and  a  sense  of  rising  importance  with  a 
vague  expectation  of  greater  progress  yet  in 
prospect.  It  was  the  genius  of  the  commanding 
general  which  inspired  all  this.  A  few  years  later, 
when  Fowler's  policy  had  proven  a  Moscow  cam- 
paign of  defeat  and  disaster,  the  ambitious  leader 
had  already  gone  to  new  fields,  and  other  hands 
78 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  79 

had  to  bear  the  labor  and  discouragements  of  a 
retreat  to  safer  ground. 

But  in  the  fall  of  1874  there  were  twelve  hun- 
dred students  in  the  various  departments.  The 
newly  founded  college  of  technology  was  in  mo- 
tion with  good  professors  of  chemistry  and  civil 
engineering,  and  bona  fide  engineering,  and  tech- 
nological students  in  abundance.  The  scientific 
and  modern  language  courses  were  also  veritable 
separate  departments,  and  were  well  officered  and 
well  attended.  Of  Professors  Allyn,  Metcalf  and 
Cooley,  the  genial  trio  of  talented  young  men 
who  managed  the  engineering  course,  the  mem- 
ory has  almost  passed  away  in  the  college  halls. 
Prof.  Cooley  is  now  editor  and  part  owner  of  the 
Chicago  American  Engineer.  Prof.  D.  H.  Wheeler 
taught  English  literature.  His  son,  Chas.  P. 
Wheeler,  was  a  junior  and  a  member  of  Omega 
when  the  writer^of  this  was  a  freshman  novitiate 
into  Sigma  Chi.  This  is  remembered  chiefly 
because  it  was  through  him  that  badges  were  se- 
cured on  payment  of  suitable  ducats,  and  thus 
the  consuming  ambition  of  the  new  member  was 
satisfied,  and  he  became  an  object  of  admira- 
tion to  himself  and  a  Sig  in  full  uniform.  Charles 
P.  Wheeler,  '76,  was  not  so  formidable  a  Tribune 
as  his  cynical  bearing  had  led  some  younger 
members  to  suppose.  He  was  as  genial  as  any, 
when  well  acquainted.  At  that  time  he  was  with 


80  HISTORY    OF    OMKC1A. 

Krantz,  '76,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Tripod^ 
and  had  among  his  classmates  a  high  reputation 
as  a  writer,  but  not  as  a  speaker.  It  was  believed 
that  he  wielded  the  pen  with  more  than  common 
talent,  and  that  literary  or  editorial  work  would 
be  his  ultimate  career.  He  is  now  a  successful 
business  man  in  Chicago.  In  New  York  he  as- 
sisted his  father  in  conducting  the  Methodist,  a 
religious  paper,  but  never  engaged  in  journalism 
as  a  profession. 

Pari  passu,  with  the  prosperity  of  Northwest- 
ern University  rose  and  fell  the  fortunes  of  our 
chapter  of  Sigma  Chi.  At  this  time  both  were 
at  the  highest  point  of  prosperity  ever  reached. 
Omega  then  had  eighteen  members  pretty  evenly 
distributed  in  the  classes.  Early  in  the  term 
Harris,  Booth  and  E.  W.  Andrews  were  initiated 
from  the  freshman  class,  and  no  other  members 
of  '78  were  subsequently  admitted.  In  the  junior 
year,  Demorest,  formerly  with  '77,  joined  this 
class,  and  with  them  took  his  degree. 

Sigma  Chi  held  the  supremacy  in  social  mat- 
ters, as  it  always  has  done,  from  the  fact  that  so 
many  of  her  active  and  alumni  members  reside 
in  Evanston.  The  year  of  which  we  are  writing 
owed  most  of  its  festivities  to  the  management 
of  our  various  members.  Innumerable  recep- 
tions, weddings,  sleigh  rides,  and  amateur  dra- 
matic entertainments,  public  lectures  and  con- 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  8l 

certs  flourished  under  Sigma  Chi  patronage.  All 
this  could  not  have  transpired  through  the  exer- 
tions of  the  eighteen  active  members,  who  were 
at  the  same  time  winning  a  lion's  share  of  college 
honors.  It  was  the  result  of  the  joint  action  of 
the  alumni  and  all  our  lady  allies  of  Evanston. 
The  memorable  sleigh  ride  mentioned  on  another 
page  was  among  the  writer's  first  experiences  of 
the  spirit  of  daring  which  pervaded  all  our  ac- 
tions. It  cost  us  rather  dear  in  one  respect.  Our 
names  were  put  upon  the  black  list  at  the 
Woman's  College,  and  we  were  not  permitted  to 
call.  The  wedding  of  Bro.  B.  F.  Martin,  of 
Alpha,  to  Miss  Creighton,  of  Evanston,  was 
hailed  by  the  chapter  as  a  fitting  occasion  to  in- 
dicate both  our  esteem  for  the  young  lady  and 
her  family,  and  to  entertain  our  visiting  brother. 
Our  formal  appearance  as  a  chapter,  with  the 
family  at  the  Methodist  church,  where  the  public 
ceremony  was  performed,  and  at  the  marriage 
reception  later,  was  long  remembered  by  us  with 
pleasure.  Out  of  this  happy  event  grew  another 
in  the  form  of  a  reception  to  the  chapter  and  our 
lady  friends,  tendered  by  Mrs.  Butler,  with  whom 
we  had  been  associated  in  the  wedding  arrange- 
ments of  Bro.  Martin.  A  reception  to  our  friends 
in  town  was  that  year  given  in  Sigma  Chi  hall, 
which  was  especially  decorated  for  the  event. 
Certain  unsightly  paraphernalia  was  carefully 


82  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

stowed  and  locked  up  out  of  sight  in  one  of  our 
small  rooms,  and  the  rest  of  our  quarters  thrown 
open.  One  of  the  waggish  sophomores  had  pro- 
cured a  goat  from  a  well-known  source.  The 
animal  was  actually  kept  on  an  upper  landing,  in 
plain  sight,  all  the  evening,  and  was  naturally  the 
cause  of  much  curiosity  and  merriment.  Our 
hall  was  well  furnished,  but  upon  this  evening  its 
walls  were  also  beautified  with  pictures,  loaned 
from  private  residences.  It  has  never  since  quite 
equaled  that  night  in  splendor;  in  fact,  it  has 
never  since  been  thrown  open,  although  several 
larger  and  more  elaborate  receptions  have  been 
given  by  the  chapter. 

New  members  from  nearly  all  the  classes  were 
that  year  added  to  our  roll,  including  Taylor, 
'76,  and  Henry  Frank,  a  Jew  by  birth,  but  later 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  an  elo- 
quent minister.  Both  were  phenomenally  brill- 
iant students,  and  took  all  the  prizes  within 
reach.  Taylor  subsequently  conferred  honor 
upon  the  University,  as  well  as  the  Sigma  Chi 
Fraternity,  by  taking  two  prizes  at  the  inter-col- 
legiate contest  at  New  York.  It  was  thought 
remarkable  that  Western  colleges  should  hold 
their  own  in  competition  with  the  older  institu- 
tions of  the  East;  and,  as  we  alone  among  fresh- 
water colleges  attempted  this,  general  attention 
was  drawn  to  the  Northwestern  University.  It 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  83 

is  proper  here  to  mention  that  we  received  four 
prizes  at  the  Eastern  contests,  Miss  Lizzie  Hunt 
and  Frank  Hills  taking  one  each  for  essays. 
Henry  Frank  spent  his  sophomore  year  at  Har- 
vard, taking  a  valuable  prize  while  there,  but  sub- 
sequently rejoined  his  class.  He  was  married  to  a 
classmate,  Miss  Cleveland,  before  leaving  Evans- 
ton  for  his  field  of  duty. 

We  freshmen  saw  with  regret  the  last  of  '75, 
including  Hamline,  who  had  taken  the  Hurd 
prize,  and  was  a  contestant  for  the  Blanchard 
prize.  Frank  M.  Harris,  and  James  B.  Norris, 
Draper,  Webster,  Ilgenfritz  and  Lambert,  also 
of  '75,  did  not  finish  their  college  course  at  the 
Northwestern  University. 

Another  familiar  face  which  we  did  not  again 
see  was  that  of  Daniel  C.  Riehl,  '74,  who  as  an 
alumnus  had  still  taken  a  most  active  interest  in, 
our  affairs  and  attended  all  our  meetings. 

When  we  returned  in  the  fall,  another  member 
was  also  absent,  this  time  from  the  active  mem- 
bership. Robert  M.  Humphrey,  '77,  died  before 
the  fall  term  opened. 

Knappen,  '77,  was  also  made  a  member  during 
this  year.  He  was  afterwards  one  of  our  most 
active  workers  and  a  marked  character.  Like 
Evans,  of  the  same  class,  he  was  fond  of  ath- 
letics, and  especially  baseball,  and  always  was 
expected  to  be  a  member  of  the  nine  sent  out  to 


84  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

struggle  for  the  "silver  ball "  of  the  inter-col- 
legiate contests.  Knappen  was  a  rare  mimic  and 
vocalist.  He  was  the  only  successful  " warbler" 
then  in  college.  We  believe  there  are  never  more 
than  one  or  two  in  any  college,  and  they  are 
always  in  demand.  We  considered  Bro.  K.  the 
equal  of  the  "warblers"  of  the  Yale  or  Amherst 
glee  clubs,  which  sang  in  Chicago. 

The  Grand  Chapter  or  biennial  convention  of 
'74  was  attended  by  Bro.  Dan.  Riehl,  who  acted 
as  Omega's  delegate.  His  verbal  reports  were 
full  and  interesting,  but  somewhat  in  contrast 
with  those  we  now  obtain  through  our  enterpris- 
ing journal,  The  Sigma  Chi,  and  our  efficient  gen- 
eral secretaries. 

n — SIGMA  CHI  '75-6. 

The  opening  of  the  next  year  saw  many  new 
members  added  to  our  roll.  From  the  class  of 
"79  N.  S.  Davis,  Jr.,  D.  P.  Donelson  and  E.  Mc- 
Williams  were  at  once  initiated.  During  this 
year  also  our  new  hall,  which  had  been  arranged 
with  deadened  walls,  etc.,  for  our  use  was  occu- 
pied. The  change  was  in  reality  not  beneficial, 
since  our  new  headquarters  were  not  so  central 
in  location,  and  therefore  not  so  convenient  as  a 
place  of  resort.  The  new  rooms  were  in  Shaw's 
block,  near  the  station,  while  the  old  ones  were 
in  Union  Hall  block.  This  latter  large  hall 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  85 

occupied  so  much  of  the  building  that  we  were 
almost  the  only  tenants,  and  used  to  monopolize 
everything  above  the  ground  floor,  even  taking 
possession  of  the  auditorium  when  we  chose. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  the  roof  of  the  build- 
ing, which  had  a  parapet  waist  high  on  the  side 
toward  the  street.  As  the  structure  was  three 
stories  above  the  sidewalk,  we  felt  safe  from 
eavesdroppers.  It  was  an  ideal  building  for 
initiations,  with  its  great  empty  hall,  its  long 
stairs  to  an  alley,  and  its  ladder  and  scuttle  to 
the  roof.  We  had  complete  control  of  the  latter, 
as  they  were  on  our  private  landing.  What 
scenes  were  enacted  in  that  building  by  some, 
who  are  now  grave  teachers,  legislators  and  pro- 
fessional men,  no  living  being  outside  of  our 
order  ever  knew  —  except  Jim  Daly's  goat. 
This  useful  and- once  celebrated  member  is  now 
dead,  it  is  reported.  May  he  rest  in  peace!  On 
one  occasion,  when  James  McWilliams,  '80,  had 
ridden  him  home  after  a  hard  night's  work,  he 
neglected  to  settle  promptly  for  his  hire,  and 
early  the  next  day  the  owner  started  to  collect 
his  customary  fee.  Accosting  certain  members 
of  the  Phi  Kappa  Sigma,  he  demanded  his  pay 
for  the  goat  which  "You  fellers  had  up  there  last 
night!"  and  named  the  gentleman  with  whom  he 
had  negotiated.  To  say  that  these  rivals  were 
jubilant  at  having  made  this  discovery  is  putting 


00  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

it  very  mildly.  Thinking  that  they  had  scored 
a  point,  they  published  it  widely.  Our  members 
took  it  coolly,  however,  and,  in  reality,  rather 
enjoyed  the  notoriety  thus  obtained,  although 
vexed  at  first.  We  were  in  most  matters  on  terms  of 
good  fellowship  with  the  Phi  Kappa  Sigma.  Their 
membership  was  good,  but  small,  on  account  of 
the  youth  of  the  chapter.  During  this  year  they 
increased  the  membership  to  twenty  or  more, 
making  it  rather  heterogeneous.  Their  large,  fine 
hall  adjoined  the  single  small  room  used  by  the 
Beta  Theta  Pi.  The  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  hall  wab 
lighted  only  from  the  top,  and  was  surrounded 
by  closets,  so  as  to  give  it  double  walls.  From 
one  side  the  plastering  was  cut  away  in  the  closet 
and  very  minute  holes  were  made  into  the  plas- 
tering of  the  Beta  Theta  Pi's  room,  so  that  all 
the  proceedings  could  be  seen  and  heard.  All 
regular  meetings  were  thus  regularly  witnessed, 
and  when  initiations  were  in  order,  some  other 
fraternity  men  were  occasionally  invited  to  see 
the  fun.  A  few  Sigs  saw  the  initiation  of  John 
Bannister  and  one  other.  The  members  of  both 
Sigma  Chi  and  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  agreed  that  the 
"ceremony"  was  the  most  inane  and  disgusting 
show  ever  witnessed;  utterly  devoid  of  humor  or 
play  of  true  wit  such  as  enlivens  most  college 
pranks,  that  otherwise  would  appear  coarse. 
The  performance,  which  lasted  but  a  short  time, 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  87 

was  more  characteristic  of  the  heavy  fun  of  a 
country  barroom  than  of  the  atmosphere  of  cul- 
ture which  men  of  education  create.  It  was  not 
even  on  a  par  with  a  third-rate  Masonic  or  Odd 
Fellows'  initiation.  No  wonder  that  Eastern 
college  men  occasionally  get  a  poor  opinion  of 
Western  standards  of  mind  and  training! 

A  movement  to  erect  and  equip  a  gymnasium 
was  one  of  the  results  of  Sigma  Chi  energy 
during  this  year.  This  was  not  a  fraternity 
affair,  but  a  general  one.  Its  three  promoters, 
Taylor,  Lunt  and  Evans,  were  Sigs,  however. 
The  latter  two  gentlemen  gave  several  hundred 
dollars  apiece  to  •  ensure  success.  Through  the 
enormous  personal  effort  of  Taylor  $3,000  were 
finally  raised  among  the  students,  and  the  pres- 
ent building  put  up  and  furnished.  It  was  at 
first  a  stock  company  and  governed  by  directors. 
Subsequently  the  charge  of  it  was  given  to  the 
trustees  of  the  University.  TJie  bowling  alley 
was  the  gift  of  the  Omega  chapter,  as  is  now 
testified  by  the  marble  slab.  The  alley  cost  $250. 

In  the  Preparatory  we  saw  unusual  opportun- 
ities for  securing  good  material  from  the  third-year 
class,  and  departed  from  our  usual  custom  so  far 
as  to  admit  Bros.  W.  L.  Brown,  J.  W.  Bennett, 
James  E.  Deering,  John  E.  Lipps  and  Frank 
Dale  before  the  end  of  the  year.  This  was  a 
move  we  never  regretted,  as  it  gave  us  an  un- 


55  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

questioned  hold  upon  '80,  which  we  never  lost. 
From  this  class  we  soon  after  secured  Jessup, 
Foulkes,  C.  D.  Etnyre,  J.  W.  McWilliams  and  H. 
A.  Smith,  making  ten  members  in  all.  The  year 
closed  prosperously  with  college  prizes  in  all 
classes.  Our  outgoing  seniors,  Taylor,  Matthew 
and  Appleton,  took  three  out  of  five  of  the  Kurd 
prizes,  for  best  essays,  and  the  two  former  di- 
vided the  oratorical  one-hundred-dollar  prize. 
These  honors,  with  those  already  mentioned,  gave 
Taylor  an  enormous  reputation  as  a  "  bright " 
man.  He  is  now  a  professor  at  Albion  College, 
Michigan.  Hilton  and  Matthew,  of  the  same 
class,  are  filling  Methodist  pulpits.  Al.  Appleton 
is  a  Chicago  journalist,  and  C.  P.  Wheeler  is  a 
coal  dealer  in  the  same  city.  Besides  the  gym- 
nasium enterprise,  which  has  been  mentioned  as 
essentially  a  project  of  Omega's  members,  two 
rather  amusing  escapades  occurred  during  this 
year,  one  of  which  has  always  been  unjustly  laid  at 
the  doors  of  Sigma  Chi.  It  was  in  fact  an  im- 
promptu affair,  in  which  a  few  of  the  college  men 
were  engaged  with  a  number  of  the  town  boys. 
The  first  of  these,  which  occurred  January  17,  1876, 
was  a  somewhat  irregular  and  unexpected  recep- 
tion tendered  to  the  Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax,  who 
had  delivered  a  lecture  in  the  village.  The  re- 
ception he  received  must  have  forcibly  reminded 
the  dignified  vice-president  that  he  was  in  the 


FOUR   COLLEGE    YEARS.  89 

wild,  harum-scarum  West,  unless  perhaps,  recol- 
lections of  his  own  college  days  tempered  his 
judgment.  The  Beta  magazine  for  February, 
1876,  discoursed  as  follows: 

"  The  Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax,  who  is  a  whole- 
souled  Beta,  lectured  in  Evanston,  111.,  and  after 
the  lecture  he  was  invited  by  the  members  of 
the  Alpha  Rho  chapter  to  attend  a  chapter  meet- 
ing and  partake  of  the  'canine'  with  them. 
Schuyler  never  refuses  an  invitation  of  this  kind, 
and  he  accordingly  met  with  the  boys.  Imme- 
diately upon  his  arrival  at  the  chapter  room, 
a  mob,  consisting  of  members  of  the  Sigma  Chi 
and  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  fraternities,  assembled  in 
the  outer  halls,  howling,  singing  and  conducting 
themselves  more  like  fiends  than  like  students 
'  having  a  high  sense  of  honor.'  This  was  kept 
'up  throughout  the  meeting,  and  when,  at  its 
close,  Mr.  Colfax,  attended  by  the  members  of 
Alpha  Rho,  started  for  his  lodging  place,  the 
front  doors  of  the  building  were  found  to  be 
tied.  The  party,  however,  made  their  exit  by  the 
back  door  [italics  our  own].  Arrived  at  the  out- 
side, Bro.  Colfax  delivered  an  extemporaneous 
lecture  to  the  mob,  which,  for  point  and  pun- 
gency, excelled  even  his  brilliant  platform  efforts. 
The  rioters  disclaimed  any  intent  to  insult  Bro. 
Colfax,  but  said  they  meant  to  '  go  for  the  Beta 
chapter.'  " 


90  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

This  is  a  moderately  truthful  account  of  what 
occurred,  from  a  Beta  standpoint.  The  crowd 
had  assembled  mainly  from  curiosity  to  see 
the  noted  visitor.  A  number  of  persons  in  it 
were  lodgers  in  the  building  (Hoag's)  in  which 
was  the  small  Beta  room  upon  the  top  floor. 
The  locality  was  so  central  that  a  crowd  could 
not  but  collect  at  a  moment's  notice.  Although 
a  few  afterward  made  apologies  to  Mr.  Colfax 
for  having  participated  in  this  affair,  it  is  obvi- 
ously impossible  that  more  than  a  small  fraction 
of  a  crowd  of  a  hundred  or  more  could  have 
been  of  the  opposition  fraternities,  whose 
combined  membership  was  not  over  thirty-five. 
The  nervousness  and  silly  behavior  of  two  or 
three  officious  Betas  were  the  only  causes  of  what 
little  disturbance  took  place.  One  hare-brained 
young  man  in  particular,  whose  conceit  and  gen- 
eral immaturity  had  made  him  the  subject  of  a 
mock-programme  joke,  was  seen  repeatedly  to 
rush  to  the  landing  above  and  threaten  ven- 
geance upon  the  crowd  below,  probably  to  the 
disgust  of  his  more  sensible  companions.  See- 
ing that  one  or  two  were  "losing  their  heads" 
without  good  reason,  the  disposition  to  "guy" 
them  could  not  be  restrained. 

Good-natured  chaffing  went  on  for  a  time,  and  a 
large  crowd  gathered  in  the  hallways,  stairs  and 
on  the  sidewalks.  In  reply  to  any  particularly 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  9! 

abusive  language  from  above,  complimentary 
offerings  of  one  sort  or  another  were  from  time 
to  time  seen  to  fly  upward  toward  the  top  land- 
ing. No  one  ventured  near  their  door  or  even 
upon  the  same  floor,  although  they  had  a  perfect 
right  to  do  so  in  a  public  building.  In  fact,  no 
one  would  have  dreamt  of  molesting  the  meet- 
ing, had  not  one  or  two  self-important  fellows 
precipitated  a  row  by  rushing  out  to  insult  those 
who  had  not  yet  done  anything  to  give  real 
offense.  A  leading  Beta  acknowledged  this  af- 
terward. 

When  it  was  desired  to  withdraw  to  their 
homes  the  members  found  the  crowd  so  great, 
and  reported  so  hostile,  that  they  sneaked  out 
the  back  door,  as  their  own  account  states. 

Herein  they  made  an  almost  incredible  mis- 
take for  supposed  men  of  honor.  Had  they 
taken  it  for  granted  that  their  manhood  would 
be  respected,  and  walked  boldly  into  the  crowd 
and  through  it  as  they  had  a  right,  not  a  hand 
would  have  been  raised  to  molest  them,  nor  a 
word  of  disrespect  been  heard  by  their  guest. 
It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  fifteen  or  twenty  Sigma 
Chis,  gathered  together,  would  be  stopped  by 
any  crowd  or  mob  from  going  where  they  felt 
they  had  a  right  to  go,  unless  the  said  mob  was 
prepared  for  a  bloody  fight,  instanter,  on  the 
spot. 


92  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

It  was  an  indignity  to  Mr.  Colfax  to  sneak  out 
with  him  like  a  criminal  among  the  cobwebs  and 
ashpits  of  the  back  area.  He  must  have  left 
Evanston  with  an  utter  contempt  for  the  pusil- 
lanimity of  the  Betas,  for  he  has  never  since 
visited  them. 

Arrived  at  last  upon  the  sidewalk  from  this 
roundabout  trip,  Mr.  Colfax  did  as  quoted,  "de- 
liver an  extemporaneous  lecture." 

"Young  man  !  " 

"Sir?"  replied  a  gigantic  sophomore,  Simon 
Peter  Douthart,  who  towered  head  and  shoul- 
ders above  the  great  politician. 

"  When  you  grow  up  you  will  live  to  regret 
this,  sir  ! " 

Next  morning  Mr.  Colfax  shook  the  dust  of 
Evanston  forever  from  his  sandals. 

The  "  bear  scrape,"  so-called,  was  another 
event  participated  in  by  some  members  of  Omega 
in  common  with  many  others.  It  was  a  more 
dangerous  matter,  involving  no  less  serious  an 
offense  than  the  larceny  of  a  live  bear,  and  his 
subsequent  killing  and  eating,  a  full  account  of 
which  is  given  in  another  chapter. 

Ill — SIGMA    CHI,    1876-77. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  class  of  '77 
contained  the  most  energetic  and  zealous  work- 
ers we  ever  had  in  the  chapter.  It  had  four- 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  93 

teen  members,  the  largest  number  from  any 
one  class  in  Omega's  history.  During  this 
year  the  example  of  Bro.  Frank  M.  Elliot, 
and  his  businesslike  attention  to  the  chapter's 
interests,  inspired  all  our  actions.  His  spirit  of 
loyalty  and  devotion,  in  dark  times  as  well  as 
bright,  has  saved  the  chapter  when  disasters  came 
upon  us,  and  the  struggle  seemed  desperate. 
Such  a  splendid  morale,  which  disappointments 
cannot  impair,  is  in  no  sense  natural  or  sponta- 
neous. It  is  the  outgrowth  of  discipline  and 
moral  training — the  moral  training  which  Omega 
gives  her  children  in  the  code  of  honor  of  Sigma 
Chi.  No  other  bond  can  unite  students  into  so 
compact  and  coherent  a  body.  When  Greek  meets 
Non-Greek  in  college  life  it  is  like  the  impact  of 
veteran  soldiers  with  the  rabble.  Numbers  count 
for  nothing  against  discipline,  courage  and  devo- 
tion to  the  flag.  The  training  which  college  fra- 
ternities thus  give  their  members  is  of  priceless 
value  in  afterlife.  It  gives  them  powers  of  or- 
ganization, the  ability  to  sway  men  and  events. 
It  teaches  them  the  value  of  fidelity  and  practical 
trustworthiness,  without  which  a  large  part  of  the 
world's  business  could  not  be  done.  It  teaches 
the  value  of  tact,  courage  and  boldness. 

Of  the  fourteen  Sigs  of  '77,  only  Evans,  Elliot, 
Early  and  Knappen  graduated  in  that  year.  De- 
morest  joined  '78;  he  is  now  in  the  ministry. 


94  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Moss  is  an  architect  in  Chicago.  Baker  gradua- 
ted at  Ann  Arbor  as  a  civil  engineer.  Martin  L. 
Anderson,  of  this  class,  was  shortly  after  gradua- 
tion made  a  Sig;  he  became  an  instructor  in  the 
Lake  View  High  School,  and  is  now  engaged  in 
the  cattle  business  in  the  West.  W.  G.  Evans, 
the  oldest  son  of  Gov.  Evans,  one  of  the  founders 
of  Evanston,  and  of  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity, was  an  ardent  promoter  of  public  enter- 
prises in  the  school,  not  only  with  his  energy  and 
business  enterprise,  but  often  with  more  than  his 
share  of  money  donated  outright.  Mention  has 
been  made  of  his  name  in  connection  with  the 
gymnasium.  He  probably  did  more  than  any 
other  student  at  the  college  to  develop  all  athletic 
sports,  and  particularly  baseball.  He  held  the 
position  of  captain  of  the  strongest  nine  the 
University  ever  had,  and  it  was  through  long  and 
careful  gymnasium  and  out-door  training  under 
his  rigid  discipline  that  it  became  superior,  prob- 
ably, to  any  western  amateur  nine,  certainly  to 
the  Elgin  club,  which  was  really  half  profes- 
sional. The  senior  lecture  and  concert  course, 
under  Bro.  Evans'  management,  was  eminently 
successful  that  year,  and  the  entertainments 
given  were  of  a  high  order. 

Of  Albert  D.  Early,  whom  his  intimate  friends 
delighted  to  call  Gee,  the  memory  is  lasting  and 
pleasant.  He  is  known  to  most  of  the  later 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  95 

members,  having  kept  up  his  old  interest  in 
Omega.  Like  the  two  men  we  have  mentioned, 
he  was  hearty,  whole-souled  and  generous, —  the 
man  above  all  others  whom  a  brother  could 
trust  and  fall  back  on  in  case  of  trouble. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  Frank  E.  Knappen. 
Like  Evans,  he  was  much  addicted  to  baseball 
and  athletics.  An  exploit  of  his  was  the  cause 
of  some  difficulty  with  the  faculty  at  one  time. 
This  was  a  desperate  "Graeco-Roman"  wrestling 
match,  which  took  place  in  the  Adelphic  Society 
hall,  before  a  select  audience.  Care  was  taken 
by  the  college  authorities  that  such  a  desecra- 
tion did  not  occur  in  these  premises  again. 

Evans  is  now  in  business  in  Denver,  Colorado. 
Knappen  and  Early  are  lawyers  in  Kalamazoo, 
Michigan,  and  Rockford,  Illinois,  respectively. 
Elliot  conducts  a  real  estate  business  in  Chicago. 
He  now  holds  the  position  of  Grand  Annotator 
of  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  and  is  one  of  the 
Triumvirs.  Ezra  B.  Parrish,  whose  recent  death 
is  chronicled  elsewhere,  was  a  resident  of  Michi- 
gan. Earle  Martin,  another  member  of  '77,  who 
was  absent  during  this  year,  is  now  in  business 
in  Chicago,  a  partner  in  Coffin,  Devoe  &  Co. 
Morrison  M.  Gillet  is  a  commercial  traveler,  with 
headquarters  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin. 

IV SIGMA    CHI    '77-78. 

Omega,  in    the    fall  of    '77,  had   four  seniors, 


96  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

including  Demorest,  who  had  joined  the  class 
from  '77. 

There  was  among  all  the  fraternity  men  of  the 
class  the  most  cordial  feeling  and  great  unity  of 
purpose,  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  the  anti- 
fraternity  forces  had  combined  and  antagonized 
all  members  of  secret  fraternities  from  the  very 
beginning.  Whatever  cliques  had  been  formed 
in  college  elections  outside  of  the  class,  the 
Greeks  of  '78  had  never  been  guilty  of  any  par- 
tisan work  in  class  matters,  and  they  felt  indig- 
nant that  they  should  be  intrigued  against  as  if 
they  had  done  so. 

They  resolved  that,  since  they  were  so  dis- 
criminated against  in  class  elections,  they  would 
show  their  mettle  in  all  competition  for  honors, 
where  merit  alone  decided. 

The  first  struggle  was  for  the  Hurd  prizes. 
Five  were  to  be  .chosen  from  the  class,  the  test 
being  essays  on  a  certain  subject,  handed  in  un- 
der an  assumed  name,  so  that  merit  alone  should 
decide.  The  five  best  essays  received  prizes  and 
their  writers  became  the  Kirk  prize  contestants. 

Of  these  five  honors  Sigma  Chi  obtained  three 
and  Beta  Theta  Pi  two.  The  fortunate  men 
were  Harris,  Booth,  Andrews,  Ackerman  and 
Kinman.  Thus  every  Sig  had  a  place,  except 
Demorest,  who  made  no  effort. 

Substantially  the  same  state  of  affairs  resulted 


FOUR   COLLEGE    YEARS.  97 

in  the  competition  for  places  on  commencement 
day.  It  became  evident  in  the  class  meetings 
that  the  anti-fraternity  members,  who  had  stead- 
ily excluded  fraternity  men  from  elective  places, 
were  not  well  pleased  with  the  latter's  triumphs  in 
these  contests.  A  numerical  majority  of  "bibs" 
and  female  students  could  outvote  the  society 
men,  but  could  not  compete  with  them  on  a 
basis  of  merit. 

The  determination  they  arrived  at,  as  we  soon 
became  aware,  was  to  put  none  but  non-frats.  in 
any  of  the  positions  to  be  chosen,  viz.:  classday 
speakers,  class  officers  and  important  committees. 

The  principle  avowed  was  that  these  places 
should  be  filled  by  those  who  had  not  already 
obtained  other  honors,  in  order  to  "give  everyone 
a  chance."  In  other  words,  the  possession  of  one 
appointment  was  to  deprive  a  member  of  his 
equal  chance  of  obtaining  another. 

As  about  fifteen  were  in  this  position,  classday 
places  had  to  be  filled  from  the  remainder,  and 
we  knew  what  that  would  mean — a  representa- 
tion we  would  be  ashamed  of  on  class  day. 

We  resolved  simply  to  bolt  with  our  camp  fol- 
lowers, resign  our  membership  in  the  class 
organization  and  refuse  to  appear  on  classday 
with  its  members  so  represented. 

At  the  appointed  time  the  election  came  off, 
and  resulted  even  worse  than  we  had  feared.  The 


po  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

most  notoriously  unfit  persons  were  elected  as 
historian,  orator  and  poet ;  persons  who  on 
previous  public  occasions  had  made  the  class  a 
laughing-stock.  We  at  once  offered  our  resigna- 
tions and  withdrew,  constituting  ourselves 
the  "  Solid  Six,"  and  took  with  us  a  few 
hangers-on  of  non-fraternity  men.  The  "  Solid 
Six'  really  numbered  seven,  namely,  Harris, 
Booth,  Andrews,  of  Sigma  Chi ;  Haney,  Hoag, 
Johnson,  of  Phi  Kappa  Sigma ;  Kinman,  of 
Beta  Theta  Pi.  Small  as  were  our  num- 
bers, our  influence  was  really  great.  We 
made  no  effort  to  injure  the  class  organization 
after  that,  but  calmly  waited  for  them  to  hold 
their  classday  exercises,  when  we  should  be 
unable  to  attend  on  account  of  a  private  recep- 
tion to  our  friends  of  Evanston  held  at  the  same 
hour. 

The  faculty  was  much  disturbed  over  this 
quarrel,  and  proposed  a  "compromise,"  which 
was,  that  classday  should  be  given  up  altogether. 
This  was  exactly  the  kind  of  a  compromise  we 
wanted,  and  we  did  not  dissent.  There  was  no 
classday  in  '78. 

Our  triumph  in  this  case  was  not  an  example 
of  "rule  or  ruin"  disposition.  We  were  simply 
determined  not  to  remain  in  a  class  publicly 
represented  by  its  worst  members,  but  were  per- 
fectly willing  that  they  should  go  on  without  us 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  99 

if  they  chose.  When  we  found  that  the  faculty 
was  unwilling  that  there  should  be  a  classday 
unless  we  joined  in  it,  we  felt  flattered  by  their 
esteem. 

The  "Solid  Six"  gave,  on  what  would  have 
been  classday,  a  large  reception  to  their  numerous 
Evanston  friends.  The  Social  Club  rooms  were 
filled  with  light-hearted  dancers  until  a  late  hour, 
and  a  keen  pleasure  was  felt  in  being  able  to 
repay,  in  even  a  small  degree,  the  generous  hos- 
pitality of  Evanston  homes  which  had  so  added 
to  the  happiness  of  a  four  years'  college  course. 

Another  anti-fraternity  struggle  of  some  bitter- 
ness occurred  that  year  in  connection  with  the 
Tripod,  the  old  college  organ.  This  paper  was 
owned  and  controlled  by  the  Tripod  Association, 
a  joint  meeting  of  the  three  literary  societies,  and 
was  by  them  awarded  to  an  editor-in-chief,  who 
usually  made  a  few  hundred  dollars  in  a  year 
from  it.  Canvassing  for  the  position  of  editor-in- 
chief  was  sometimes  brisk,  and  this  year  Messrs. 
Haney  and  Andrews  entered  the  field  and  were 
defeated  by  Ladd  and  Warrington  for  the  editor- 
ship. The  former  had  the  backing  of  all  the 
fraternity  men,  the  latter  of  all  the  Biblical 
students,  and  much  partisan  feeling  resulted. 

It  was  finally  determined  by  the  two  fraternity 
men  not  to  rest  under  defeat,  but  to  start  a  new 
periodical  distinctively  under  the  patronage  of 


100  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

secret  societies,  and  with  one  editor  from  each. 
Accordingly,  Isaac  E.  Adams,  of  Beta  Theta  Pi; 
Conrad  Haney,  of  Phi  Kappa  Sigma,  and  E. 
W.  Andrews,  of  Sigma  Chi,  became  the  editors. 
They  soon  sent  out  circulars  announcing  that  the 
Vidette  would  be  issued  semi-monthly,  instead  of 
monthly,  as  was  its  slow  rival.  Remarkable  suc- 
cess attended  the  efforts  to  gain  advertisements. 
Eight  hundred  dollars'  worth  were  contracted  for 
before  the  first  issue. 

By  prompt  action  we  "  scooped "  the  Tripod 
completely,  using  the  unanswerable  argument 
that  the  "crowd"  we  represented  were  the 
students  who  spent  all  the  money — for  the  "  bibs  " 
bought  little  or  nothing  except  groceries  for  their 
clubs.  No  one  cared  to  advertise  books,  jewelry, 
cigars  or  fine  clothing  in  their  paper,  and  these 
were  the  kind  of  advertisements  which  paid  best. 
Another  cause  of  trouble  was  the  fact  that  they 
took  their  paper  out  of  town  to  be  printed, 
which  set  many  local  tradespeople  against  them. 

The  first  issue  of  the  Tripod  demonstrated 
that  it  was  in  incompetent  hands.  Instead  of 
being  improved  by  competition  it  was  a  perfect 
botch, — in  fact,  the  poorest  for  years,  and  full  of 
typographical  errors  and  misspelled  words,  be- 
ing perfectly  characteristic  of  its  editor — Ladd, 
who  was  a  hard  student  but  an  awful  bungler 
with  the  English  language.  All  this  helped  the 


FOUR  COLLEGE  YEARS.  IOI 

Vidette,  which  was  modeled  after  the  better  East- 
ern journals  and  was  moderately  successful  from 
a  literary  standpoint.  Its  chief  ambition,  how- 
ever, was  to  become  a  mirror  of  student  life  and 
news,  and  in  this  respect  its  local  editor,  I.  E. 
Adams,  made  it  bright  and  interesting. 

Subsequently  the  Tripod  and  Vidette  were 
merged  under  the  name  Northwestern.  The  new 
paper  became  semi-monthly  and  adopted  a  head- 
ing and  make-up  almost  a  counterpart  of  those 
used  in  the  Vidette.  The  latter  may  be  said  to 
have  revolutionized  college  journalism  at  N. 
W.  U. 

W.  H.  Harris,  a  son  of  Bishop  Harris,  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  was  with  '78  four  years.  He  was 
awarded  one  half  of  the  Kirk  prize  for  best  oration, 
and  several  other  prizes  in  previous  years. 

Subsequently  he  attended  Columbia  Law 
School,  and  after  graduation  there,  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  law  in  New  York  city,  where  he 
is  now  successfully  engaged. 

W.  M.  Booth  likewise  has  followed  the  law. 
He  was  noted  in  college  for  his  brilliancy  in  lan- 
guages, especially  Greek,  which  he  mastered 
with  great  ease.  For  excellence  in  Greek  he  re- 
ceived a  prize  and  also  other  honors,  including 
the  Hurd  essay  prize.  Bro.  Booth  has  always 
been  a  working  Sigma  Chi,  and  has  helped  to  bear 
many  of  its  burdens.  As  a  member  of  the  ex- 


102  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ecutive  committee,  which  entertained  the  Grand 
Chapter  at  Chicago  in  1882,  he  had  to  handle 
and  disburse  about  $800,  and,  with  Bros.  Lunt 
and  F.  T.  Andrews,  bear  a  large  amount  of  unre- 
quited work.  The  success  and  eclat  of  that  con- 
vention is  largely  due  to  his  industry  and  ability. 
At  present  Bro.  Booth  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Council  and  Triumvirs,  being  the  Grand 
Quaestor  of  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  with 
headquarters  at  Chicago. 

E.  W.  Andrews,  after  graduating,  became  a 
medical  student  and  subsequently  a  surgeon. 
He  is  now  living  in  Chicago.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  Grand  Chapter,  in  1884,  Bro.  Andrews  was 
elected  Grand  Praetor  of  the  Fifth  Province,  and 
by  virtue  of  his  location  in  Chicago,  wat.  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  Triumvirs  who  perform  the 
routine  work  for  the  Grand  Council  in  govern- 
ing the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity.  Therefore  we 
see  three  members  of  Omega,  Bro.  Elliot,  of 
'77,  and  Bros.  Booth  and  Andrews,  of  '78,  in  im- 
portant positions  in  our  new  central  government. 

This  is  a  high  compliment  to  the  chapter, 
which  is  so  much  younger  and  less  deserving 
than  many  others.  The  location  of  its  numer- 
ous alumni  in  the  great  metropolis,  whither  all 
eyes  turn,  is  probably  the  true  cause  of  the 
chapter  having  so  much  influence  in  the  frater- 
nity at  large.  The  holding  of  the  Grand  Chap- 


FOUR    COLLEGE    YEARS.  103 

ter  at  Chicago,  in  1882,  was  also  the  means  of 
making  Omega  widely  known,  and  praised,  per- 
haps, beyond  her  deserts.  This  event  reacted 
most  favorably  upon  the  chapter  by  exciting  in 
the  members  new  zeal  and  new  energy,  as  well 
as  a  better  appreciation  of  the  greatness  and 
high  standing  of  the  fraternity  as  a  whole. 

E.  WYLLYS  ANDREWS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

FRATRES    CARDS    SALUTO. 
Tune — '  'Lauriger  Horatius. " 

Fratres  caros  saluto 

Vos,  in  aula  nostra  ; 
Crucem  bene  tuere, 
"In  hoc  signo  vinces." 

Chorus — Fratres  voces  tollite, 
Laudibus  sonoris, 
Colentes  pectoribus 
Sigma  Chi  aeterno. 

Sunt  beati  juvenes, 

Qui  advenant  aram 
Amatam  a  Sigma  Chi, 

Cum  amore  vero. 

Chorus — Fratres  voces  tollite,  etc. 

Unitate  spargimur, 

Fratres,  et  "Sic  esto;" 

Ranaculus  saluit 

Crocodili  in  tergum. 

Chorus — Fratres  voces  tollite,  etc. 

D.  E.  CROZIER. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OMEGA    1878-1879. 

WITH  the  opening  of  the  college  year  of  1878 
and  1879  Omega  found  but  seven  names  on  her 
chapter-roll.  The  "  Four  Wills,"  Messrs.  Booth, 
Andrews,  Harris  and  Demorest,  who  had  grad- 
uated in  the  June  preceding,  were  sadly  missed 
in  the  fall  campaign.  Two  of  the  famous  quar- 
tette, it  is  true,  were  often  seen  in  their  wonted 
haunts  dropping  words  of  wisdom  which  cheered 
the  chapter  in  its  loneliness.  Perhaps  it  was  a 
relief  from  severer  studies  to  gather  often  round 
the  council-board,  for  Andrews  had  entered  the 
field  of  ^Esculapius,  and  Booth,  to  use  the  very 
homely  expression  of  Dr.  Johnson,  was  "  digging 
the  bowels  out  of  Blackstone."  Another  attrac- 
tion grew  out  of  a  certain  post-graduate  compact 
entered  into  by  these  brothers,  by  which  they 
were  never  allowed  the  luxury  of  a  cigar  save 
within  the  sacred  shadow  of  their  Alma  Mater. 
But  whatever  the  cause  which  drew  them  so  fre- 
quently to  Evanston,  there  was  much  rejoicing  at 
their  presence. 

So  it  came  about  that  the  weakness  of  the 
chapter  at  this  time  was  not  apparent,  though  it 
was  really  the  beginning  of  that  period  of  de- 


106  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

pression  experienced  in  the  years  following. 
With  the  active  interest  of  recent  alumni,  and  a 
chapter  not  strong,  perhaps,  but  numbering 
some  of  the  best  men  in  college,  the  necessity  for 
new  members  was  forgotten.  A  cause  which  lay 
even  deeper  was  depression  in  the  University 
itself.  The  proportion  of  young  men  attending 
college  was  materially  decreased  by  the  hard 
times,  and  the  institution  laboring  under  a  heavy 
debt,  offered  to  students  fewer  attractions  than 
in  former  years.  The  material  from  which  to 
draw  new  members  for  the  chapter  lessened  rap- 
idly with  this  contraction  in  all  departments  of 
the  University,  and  Omega  felt  that  to  lower  her 
standard  of  requirement  would  be  to  accept 
defeat.  Inanition  was  better  than  disgrace.  In 
the  two  years  following,  this  policy  resulted  in 
something  of  a  struggle,  but  it  was  never  re- 
gretted, for,  with  the  general  revival  under  the 
new  regime,  came  an  added  life  and  energy. 

Bros.  Hesler  and  Otven  were  quietly  initiated 
during  the  fall  term  and  their  names  alone  were 
added  to  the  lists  throughout  the  year.  On  No- 
vember 19,  at  Indianapolis,  convened  the  Tenth 
Biennial  Session  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  where 
Omega  was  represented  by  Bro.  E.  L.  Stewart. 
Our  chapter  gained  much  through  her  admirable 
ambassador,  in  contemporary  fraternity  politics, 
and  in  her  reputation  throughout  the  order. 


OMEGA    1878-1879.  107 

So  the  year  came  and  went,  and,  if  it  be  true 
that  the  annals  of  prosperity  are  short,  this  was 
a  period  of  marked  success.  Though  the  depres- 
sion of  the  next  two  years  was  soon  to  follow,  no 
such  result  could  be  seen  by  the  contemporary 
observer  of  events.  The  membership  was  suited 
to  the  best  of  social  intercourse,  and  in  size  the 
chapter  was  well  fitted  for  its  object.  The  men 
composing  it  were  of  ability  and  standing.  Five 
years  have  widely  scattered  those  nine  names. 
Lipps  is  a  silk  manufacturer  in  the  south  of 
France;  Jessup  is  practicing  medicine  in  New 
York;  Andrews,  Davis  and  Foulks  follow  the 
same  profession  in  Chicago;  Owen  is  seeking  for- 
tune in  the  Northwest;  Donelson  is  connected 
with  the  Deering  Machine  Company;  Stewart  is 
a  lawyer  in  Chicago;  and  Hesler  is  surgeon  of 
the  Flag  Ship  on  the  Atlantic  Squadron. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

HISTORY     OF     OMEGA     FROM     SEPTEMBER,     1879,    To 
JUNE,    1884. 

THE  glory  of  Omega  had  been  gradually  cul- 
minating since  her  reorganization  until,  during 
the  years  '77,  '78  and  '79,  her  preeminent  supe- 
riority among  the  Greeks  at  Northwestern  was 
admitted  and  recognized  by  all.  With  the  return 
to  college  in  the  fall  of  '79  the  brethren  con- 
sidered the  prospects  of  the  fraternity  bright,  and 
were  happy  and  content  to  rest  upon  their  laurels. 
We  believe  a  more  auspicious  opening  for  a  suc- 
cessful year  has  not  been  known  in  the  history  of 
the  chapter.  It  is  true  that  such  men  as  were 
thought  suitable  for  members  of  the  Sigma  Chi 
were  more  scarce  than  they  had  been  heretofore. 
Yet  there  were  some  good  men,  and  we  secured 
all  that  were  wanted.  The  names  of  Bross 
and  Elliot,  of  '83,  were  soon  added  to  our  chapter 
roll,  and,  with  this  valuable  acquisition  of  men 
who  were  greatly  desired  by  the  other  fraternities, 
Omega  prospered,  and  the  spirit  of  satisfaction 
pervaded  her  halls. 

During  the  year  little  work  was  done  relative 
to  the  fraternity  at  large,  and  no  minutes,  un- 
fortunately, of  the  regular  meetings  of  the 

108 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      IOQ 

chapter  were  preserved.  Yet  it  was  a  noticeable 
fact  that  the  most  zealous  fraternity  spirit 
existed  among  the  brethren,  and  before  the  close 
of  the  year  Kampf,  '85  ;  Tunnicliff,  '84 ;  De  Groff, 
81  ;  Brown,  '83,  and  Randolph,  '81,  were  admitted 
into  the  mystic  circle.  The  history  of  the  chapter 
during  this  year  is  strongly  characterized  by  the 
good  fellowship  which  existed  among  the  mem- 
bers. Being  satisfied  with  our  past  record  and 
the  high  reputation  of  our  active  members,  we 
became  to  a  certain  degree  indifferent  to  others 
and  to  the  future,  which  were  to  supply  the 
strength  of  the  chapter  when  the  present  members 
should  leave  these  classic  shades  for  other  fields 
of  labor.  Thus  the  collegiate  year  rolled  on  to  the 
close,  and  four  men  from  Sigma  Chi  grad- 
uated. This  class  was  the  first  to  complete  its 
entire  college  course  under  the  administration  of 
Dr.  Marcy,  who  was  at  that  time  the  acting  presi- 
dent. The  class  was  certainly  a  credit  to  the 
institution,  and  well  may  the  old  doctor  feel  proud 
of  it. 

As  it  had  been  found  impossible  to  relieve  the 
University  of  its  financial  embarrassments,  and 
owing  to  the  necessary  curtailment  of  expenses  in 
advertising,  and  reducing  the  number  of  profes- 
sors, the  former  reputation  of  the  college  before 
the  public  was  not  now  fully  sustained.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  opening  of  college  in  the 


I  TO  HISTORY     OF    OMEGA. 

fall  of  '80  found  Omega  Chapter  with  six  men, 
Bros.  Andrews,  De  Groff  and  Randolph,  of 
'81  ;  Elliot  and  Brown,  of  '83,  and  Tunnicliff, 
of  '84.  The  freshman  class  was  much  smaller 
than  any  had  been  for  many  years,  yet  there 
was  much  good  material  in  the  class.  The  larger 
part  of  its  members  were  quickly  taken  by  the 
fraternities,  many  of  whom  joined  or  pledged 
themselves  to  secret  societies  before  matriculating 
at  the  college. 

On  the  evening  of  October  5,  '80,  Messrs. 
Geo.  P.  Merrick  and  A.  D.  Currier,  both  of  '84, 
were  ushered  into  the  mystic  circle  of  Sigma 
Chi.  This  being  the  first  initiation  of  the  year, 
a  large  number  of  the  alumni  brothers  were  pres- 
ent to  give  inspiration  to  the  occasion,  and  to 
partake  of  the  sumptuous  "spread"  to  which 
they  were  invited.  This  event  is  particularly 
mentioned  because  on  this  occasion  the  first  real 
action  was  taken  toward  establishing  a  chapter 
house  for  the  use  of  Omega.  The  subject  had 
long  been  considered  by  the  active  members  of 
previous  years,  and  it  was  now  decided  to  lay 
the  matter  before  our  alumni.  The  result  of 
this  action  was  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  take  the  matter  in  charge,  and  report  as  to  the 
financial  support  of  the  enterprise.  The  subject 
was  presented  to  all  our  members,  soliciting  their 
aid.  In  the  meantime  measures  were  taken  to 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      Ill 

rent  a  building  for  our  use  until  we  should  be 
able  to  establish  one  of  our  own.  Thus,  with 
bright  hopes  before  us,  we  started  out  for  a  brill- 
iant year.  During  the  fall  term  H.  L.  Peck,  '85, 
was  initiated ;  so,  with  nine  congenial  souls 
Omega  was  prosperous  and  happy.  Bro.  F.  W. 
Randolph,  '81,  was  the  leading  spirit  this  year  in 
the  chapter.  He  was  a  man  of  decided  ability 
in  literary  and  artistic  pursuits,  and  a  most  loyal 
"Sig."  He  was  untiring  in  his  labors  for  the 
chapter,  and  the  earnestness  which  he  exhibited 
greatly  inspired  all  his  brothers. 

This  being  the  year  for  the  Thirteenth  Bien- 
nial Convention  of  Sigma  Chi,  Bro.  R.  V.  De- 
Groff,  '81,  was  chosen  to  represent  Omega  in  the 
Grand  Chapter,  which  was  to  meet  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  He  was  accompanied  on  his  mis- 
sion by  Bro.  F.  T.  Andrews,  "81,  and  to  the  in- 
fluence of  these  brothers  is  due  many  impor- 
tant measures  which  were  then  adopted;  one 
of  them  being  the  decision  to  hold  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  Grand  Chapter,  in  1882,  at  Chicago, 
under  the  auspices  of  Omega  chapter.  The 
compilation  of  the  fraternity  history  was  also 
given  to  Omega.  We  were  much  pleased  with 
the  honor  thus  shown  us  by  the  fraternity,  and 
we  immediately  began  to  lay  our  plans  to  exe- 
cute the  work  before  us.  The  winter  term  came 
and  found  us  still  in  our  old  hall,  the  walls  of 


112  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

which  were  profusely  decorated  with  relics. 
Our  own  experiences  were  from  time  to  time 
recorded  by  the  artistic  sketches  of  Bro.  Ran- 
dolph. Many  were  the  "spreads"  and  jolly  meet- 
ings, one  of  which  was  occasioned  by  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Beta  Theta  Pi  turkey  "Hyslops." 
Having  several  fine  musicians,  we  never  lacked 
that  inspiration  which  good  music  always  brings. 
During  every  meeting  the  old  hall  rang  with 
jolly  songs,  and  we  venture  to  say  that  not  one 
of  the  nine  brothers  can  look  back  upon  those 
good  old  times  without  the  feeling  of  their  being 
the  brightest  spots  of  life.  Before  the  close  of 
the  year  five  of  our  brothers  were  obliged  to 
leave  the  college  on  account  of  ill  health.  Bros. 
Andrews  and  DeGroff  graduated  this  year.  Bro. 
Randolph,  who  had  been  taking  a  course  in  the 
law  school  in  connection  with  his  regular  col- 
legiate studies,  graduated  with  honors  from  the 
law  department,  and  was  only  prevented  from 
securing  his  diploma  in  the  University  by  the 
technical  interpretation  of  the  rules  by  the 
faculty.  The  annual  banquet  was  held  at  the 
Tremont  House,  and  was  one  of  the  pleasantest 
occasions  of  the  year. 

At  the  opening  of  the  college,  in  the  fall  of 
'81,  Omega  counted  noses,  and  there  were  only 
two,  Merrick  and  Currier.  Bros.  Randolph 
and  Andrews  retained  their  active  membership 


SEPTEMBER,   1879,    TO    JUNE,   1884.  113 

and  helped  us  in  many  substantial  ways.  The 
freshman  class  was  greatly  reduced,  and  only  a 
few  men  were  considered  worthy  of  invitation 
to  our  chapter.  These  few  men  had  been  so 
filled  with  disparaging  reports  of  the  weak  con- 
dition of  our  chapter,  by  our  rival  "frats,"  that 
they  were  loath  to  give  a  decision  in  our  favor. 
Yet  one  did,  Mr.  Harry  Lathrop,  and  he  proved 
a  most  enthusiastic  worker.  Mr.  F.  M.  Brewer 
also  came  in. 

In  November,  assisted  by  the  local  alumni  breth- 
ren, Omega  gave  a  reception  at  the  Avenue 
House.  By  this  means  our  alumni  were  awakened 
to  a  more  lively  interest  in  the  chapter,  and  our 
social  standing  was  greatly  increased.  In  fact,  this 
reception  was  considered  by  all  the  greatest  soci- 
ety event  of  the  season.  Thus  our  hopes  increased. 
We  improved  our  hall  and  everything  was 
progressing  smoothly.  Before  the  close  of 
the  fall  term,  Bro.  Randolph  left  for  his  new 
home  at  Lake  Benton,  Minn.,  where  he  was 
to  practice  law.  Mr.  H.  C.  Eddy,  '86,  was  made 
a  member,  but  he  soon  went  to  the  Illinois  Wes- 
leyan  University,  at  Bloomington,  to  finish  his 
course,  and  there  he  was  influential  in  having  the 
present  chapter  of  Sigma  Chi  established. 

In  the  winter  term  of  '81  and  '82  we  had  only 
four  men.  The  chapter-house  scheme  was 
abandoned  for  a  time,  and  the  compilation  of  the 


114  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

fraternity  history  was  about  all  that  engaged  our 
attention.  It  was  necessary,  however,  to  have 
the  co-operation  of  the  various  chapters  in  this 
matter,  but  they  seemed  to  take  no  interest  in  it, 
and  the  result  was  we  had  no  history  to  present 
at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Omega  kept  up  her  standing  in  college  and 
society,  receiving  more  honors  than  any  of  our 
rival  "frats,"  though  constantly  reviled  and  per- 
secuted by  some  of  them.  They  seemed  to  gloat 
over  our  reduced  condition.  In  December  the  sad 
news  came  that  Bro.  Harry  P.  Brown  was  dead. 
He  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  for  his  manly  char- 
acter and  his  bright  social  qualities.  A  few 
months  later  there  came  another  shock,  which 
caused  the  deepest  grief  throughout  the  chapter. 
On  the  nth  day  of  March,  '82,  Bro.  F.  W.  Ran- 
dolph, who  had  recently  left  us  with  such  bright 
hopes  for  the  future,  died  and  went  to  that  better 
land  above.  This  sudden  death  of  one  who  was 
near  and  dear  to  us,  and  whose  future  promised 
to  crown  him  with  success  and  eminence,  seemed 
to  the  chapter  a  cruel  and  crushing  blow.  Appro- 
priate resolutions  were  passed,  and  the  badge  of 
mourning,  which  had  scarcely  been  removed  for 
Bro.  Brown,  was  replaced.  The  Upsilon  Chapter 
of  the  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  Fraternity  sent  Omega 
a  warm  sympathetic  letter  of  condolence.  Their 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      115 

expressed  sympathy  at  this  most  trying  time  \vas 
particularly  grateful  to  us. 

Bro.  Lathrop  left  us  to  engage  in  business,  and 
our  active  membership  was  reduced  to  three. 
Renewed  efforts  added  W.  T.  Prime,  '87,  to  our 
list,  but  he,  too,  soon  left  us.  Bro.  Merrick,  in  his 
felicitous  chapter  report  to  the  Thirteenth  Bien- 
nial Convention,  aptly  expressed  our  condition 
when  he  said,  "  the  Omega  chapter  still  continues 
to  promenade  down  to  the  college  halls  under  one 
umbrella." 

When  it  was  known  at  the  annual  banquet  that 
Bro.  Bross,  who  had  already  remained  in  the 
college  a  year  simply  on  behalf  of  the  chapter, 
and  Bro.  Merrick  did  not  expect  to  return  the 
coming  year,  the  outlook  seemed  dubious.  Yet 
the  one  member  who  was  to  return  to  represent 
Sigma  Chi  in  Northwestern  was  greatly  encour- 
aged by  the  promised  support  of  our  resident 
alumni,  who  now  understood  the  true  condition 
of  the  chapter.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  in 
praise  of  the  valiant  efforts  of  these  warm-hearted 
brethren,  and  especially  are  we  indebted  to  Broth- 
ers Elliot,  Hamline,  Bross,  Booth,  F.  T.  and  E. 
W.  Andrews.  Nothing  can  so  inspire  an  under- 
graduate with  loyal  pride  and  love  for  his  fra- 
ternity as  the  cheerful  and  active  assistance  of  an 
alumnus.  The  hall  was  still  retained  by  the  sin- 
gle active  member.  All  the  offices  were  at  his 


Il6  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

command.  He  could  vote  any  measure  up  or 
down,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  this  short  and 
singular  interregnum  was  entirely  harmonious 
and  peaceful. 

The  new  men  in  college  were  thoroughly  can- 
vassed, and  September  21,  1882,  witnessed  the  first 
acquisition  of  a  member.  On  top  of  this 
came  the  joyful  news  of  Bro.  Merrick's  return. 
Our  friends  increased  while  our  enemies  grew 
more  heartless.  It  was  up-hill  work,  but  victory 
at  last  perched  upon  our  banner.  On  October 
12,  1882,  two  of  the  men  whom  we  desired  cast 
their  lot  with  Sigma  Chi,  much  to  the  discomfort 
of  our  rivals;  they  were  C.  A.  Wightman,  '85, 
and  Sidney  Watson,  '85;  the  former  is  the  Grand 
Historian  of  the  fraternity,  and  he  has  already 
honored  us  and  himself  by  his  able  research  into 
our  past  history,  and  collecting  new  material  for 
its  publication.  On  October  31,  Frank  B.  Park- 
hurst,  '87,  joined  our  increasing  and  enthusiastic 
number.  In  a  short  time  another  sophomore, 
who  has  since  proved  a  great  prize  for  Sigma 
Chi,  was  induced  to  join  our  ranks — Mr.  Charles 
S.  Slichter  became  a  member  November  6. 

The  following  day  was  the  opening  of  the 
Thirteenth  Biennial  Convention,  which  took  place 
at  the  Grand  Pacific  Hotel,  at  Chicago.  Our 
brothers  were  all  enthusiastic  over  this  conven- 
tion and  zealously  aided  in  making  it  one  of  the 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      117 

most  successful  in  the  history  of  the  fraternity. 
Nothing  gave  Omega  so  much  joy  as  to  be  able 
to  report  to  that  convention  a  chapter  roll  of 
seven  men.  The  convention  was  not  only  a  great 
benefit  to  our  chapter,  but  it  was  the  means  of 
spreading  the  importance  of  the  University  more 
extensively.  On  the  last  day  of  the  convention 
Omega  made  a  signal  victory.  Hon.  William 
Springer,  a  member  of  Beta  Theta  Pi,  had  sent 
his  son,  Ruter  W.  Springer,  to  Northwestern. 
No  sooner  was  the  fact  known  than  the  stalwarts 
of  Omega  cast  their  nets,  and  forthwith  Mr. 
Ruter  W.  Springer  became  a  Sigma  Chi. 

The  day  following  the  convention  right  proudly 
did  we  lead  a  delegation  of  one  hundred  visiting 
Sigma  Chis,  together  with  our  alumni  and  active 
members,  to  the  college  building.  Here  we  were 
all  received  most  cordially  by  President  Cum- 
mings,  who  volunteered  the  statement  that  the 
alumni  of  Sigma  Chi  in  Northwestern  were  the 
men  to  whom  the  faculty  pointed  with  pride  as 
specimens  of  graduates  of  this  institution.  Being 
so  boldly  recognized  and  praised  by  the  presi- 
dent, we  naturally  felt  greatly  encouraged. 

The  utmost  harmony  existed  in  the  chapter. 
Good  literary  work  was  done,  and  to  increase  our 
efforts  in  this  direction  a  cash  prize  of  ten  dollars 
was  offered  by  Bros.  Bross,  Andrews  and  Booth  for 
the  best  written  essay.  This  prize  was  won  by  Bro. 


Il8  HISTORY  OF  OMF.GA. 

Wightman.  On  February  2,  1883,  our  circle  was 
increased  by  the  admission  of  Mr.  D.  E.  Crozier, 
whom  we  were  proud  to  welcome  in  our  midst, 
not  only  because  of  his  wide  reputation  in  musical 
circles,  but  because  of  his  genial  qualities  as  a 
true  gentleman.  Many  improvements  were  made 
on  our  hall,  making  it  the  most  attractive  one  in 
the  village.  The  work  accomplished  in  the  first 
two  terms  of  the  collegiate  year  was  enormous, 
and  the  results  were  gained  by  the  united  and 
persistent  efforts  of  our  brothers.  Much  is  due 
to  the  assembly  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  to  the 
practical  aid  of  our  alumni,  and  not  least  of  all, 
to  two  of  the  most  loyal  lady  friends  of  Sigma 
Chi,  Mrs.  F.  M.  Elliot  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Hamline. 
Their  efforts  in  our  behalf  were  most  hospitable 
and  generous,  and  cannot  be  too  highly  appreci- 
ated. 

Our  next  initiate  was  F.  N.  Clark,  '87.  Noth- 
ing further  of  importance  occurred  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  collegiate  year,  except  the  estab- 
lishment of  Alpha  Iota  chapter  at  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  through  the  agency  of  Omega.  The 
annual  banquet  was  held  at  the  Union  League 
rooms,  and  was  largely  attended.  Among  the 
alumni  present  was  Bro.  Frank  E.  Hesler;  he  was 
on  his  way  home  to  seek  and  regain  his  health. 
His  speech  on  the  reminiscences  of  Omega  will 
always  be  remembered;  it  was  about  the  last  ut- 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      IIQ 

terance  on  fraternity  matters  he  made.  It  was 
full  of  bright  things,  and  carried  us  away  with 
delightful  and  happy  memories.  On  January  i, 
1884,  after  a  painful  and  lingering  disease,  he 
passed  from  this  earth  to  his  last  sleep. 

Omega  had  seven  men  at  the  opening  of  the 
college  year,  '83.  She  was  strongly  antagonized 
by  all  the  other  fraternities,  but  we  succeeded  in 
obtaining  the  prize  man  of  the  freshman  class, 
Edwin  L.  Shuman,  who  was  initiated  October  25. 
In  the  winter  term,  Omega  originated  and  carried 
out  the  scheme  of  holding  a  local  convention  of 
the  Western  chapters.  The  purpose  was  to  dis- 
cuss matters  of  general  fraternal  interest,  and  to 
become  better  acquainted  with  one  another.  The 
convention  was  held  January  25  and  26,  and  dele- 
gates from  eight  chapters  were  represented.  It 
was  a  grand  success.  The  last  evening  of  the 
convention  was  devoted  to  the  Omega  essay  con- 
test for  the  Elliot  prize.  All  the  active  men  con- 
tested except  Bros.  Watson  and  Crozier.  The 
prize  was  awarded  to  Bro.  Shuman.  After  the 
convention  a  banquet  was  given  at  the  Avenue 
House.  The  delegates  departed  with  the  kind- 
est of  feeling,  and  looked  hopefully  to  the  time 
when  they  might  meet  again  under  as  pleasant 
circumstances.  One  of  the  indirect  results  of 
this  district  convention  was  the  establishment 
of  a  chapter  at  the  University  of  Wisconsin  at 


120  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Madison.  This  was  worked  up  and  perfected 
by  an  active  member  of  Omega.  The  chapter 
was  duly  organized.  The  charter  men  went  to 
Beloit,  where  Sigma  Chi  had  a  live  and  strong 
chapter,  and  received  the  necessary  introduction 
to  the  goat.  Bros.  Elliot,  Early  and  F.  T.  An- 
drews assisted  materially  in  the  formation  of  this 
chapter.  On  March  21,  '84,  Chas.  Clapp  became 
a  member.  The  usual  jolly  time  at  such  occa- 
sions brought  out  a  large  number. 

The  end  of  the  collegiate  year  drew  to  a 
close,  bringing  with  it  the  graduation  of  Bros. 
Currier  and  Merrick.  They  were  the  first  men 
of  Omega  who  had  graduated  since  '81.  Com- 
mencement week  was  the  most  important  and 
brilliant  that  Northwestern  has  known.  She 
celebrated  her  twenty-fifth  anniversary.  There 
was  a  large  number  of  graduates  present,  and 
the  alumni  association  was  greatly  strengthened. 
On  the  morning  of  alumni  day  a  business  meet- 
ing was  held.  The  cause  of  the  decline  in  the 
attendance  to  the  University  was  warmly  dis- 
cussed. Bro.  E.  W.  Andrews  made  himself 
famous  by  his  bold  stand  in  the  defense  of  the 
University  against  the  zealots  of  the  Woman's 
College.  In  the  afternoon  a  public  entertain- 
ment was  given.  Bro.  George  L.  Yaple,  '72, 
was  the  orator.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  being  the  first  graduate  from 


SEPTEMBER,  1879,  TO  JUNE,  1884.      121 

Northwestern  who  had  achieved  that  distin- 
guished honor.  His  oration  was  scholarly,  and 
delivered  extempore  in  a  clear  and  pleasant  man- 
ner. The  effort  was  justly  considered  one  of  the 
finest  ever  delivered  at  the  institution.  In  the 
evening  a  grand  banquet  was  given,  in  which 
the  professors,  trustees  and  alumni  participated. 
Excellent  music,  a  varied,  well-cooked  dinner, 
toasts  and  glees  made  up  a  fitting  ending  of  the 
first  twenty-five  years'  history  of  the  North- 
western University.  A.  D.  CURRIER. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE    FOURTEENTH    BIENNIAL    CONVENTION    ENTER- 
TAINED   BY    OMEGA. 

THAT  it  was  the  determination  of  the  members 
of  Omega  Chapter  to  make  the  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Chapter  in  November,  1882,  a  memorable 
and  important  one  is  illustrated  by  the  following 
characteristic  sentence  in  her  chapter  letter  in  the 
Sigma  Chi  of  June,  '82:  "The  legislation  of  this 
next  convention  will  determine  in  a  very  marked 
degree  what  is  to  be  the  result  of  our  present 
transition  state,  and  where  Sigma  Chi  is  to  take 
her  stand  among  the  great  brotherhoods  of 
America."  The  previous  convention  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  in  November,  '80,  while  it  partook 
of  the  general  character  of  Sigma  Chi  conven- 
tions in  maintaining  an  elaborate  and  meritorious 
literary  program,  together  with  profuse  and  de- 
lightful social  entertainment  and  good  fellowship, 
did  also  something  else — it  established  the  Sigwa 
Chi.  The  foundation  of  this  magazine  marked 
the  beginning  of  a  change  from  one  of  the  most 
conservative  to  one  of  the  most  progressive  of 
American  college  fraternities,  from  one  of  the 
tnost  secret  to  one  of  the  most  ready  to  let  its 
light  shine.  It  had  been  the  work  of  this  journal 


FOURTEENTH    BIENNIAL    CONVENTION.         123 

to  prepare  the  order  for  the  coming  convention. 
It  aroused  the'  dormant  energies.  It  refreshed 
and  quickened  every  part.  It  gave  a  new  unity 
and  singleness  of  aim.  It  pointed  out  defects  and 
demanded  their  remedy.  Thus  the  delegates 
came  to  the  Fourteenth  Convention,  as  never 
before,  fully  acquainted  with  the  necessities  of 
the  society  and  with  the  high  purpose  and  cour- 
age to  meet  them.  The  work  done  by  the  con- 
vention consummated,  in  fact,  a  revolution  in  the 
entire  policy  of  the  fraternity.  The  government 
was  radically  changed  from  the  unsteady  and 
frequently  inconsistent  rule  of  a  "parent"  chap- 
ter to  the  firm  and  conservative  control  of  an  ex- 
perienced body  of  responsible  alumni.  Sigma 
Chi  has  never  enjoyed  such  wide-spread  prosperity 
as  since  the  adoption  of  her  new  form  of  govern- 
ment. 

To  tarry  over  measures  which  have  brought 
such  glory  to  Sigma  Chi  would  indeed  be 
pleasing,  but  we  are  to  record  the  means  pursued 
by  Omega  to  make  possible  such  brilliant 
results.  Bros.  Geo.  Lunt,  W.  H.  Booth  and  F. 
T.  Andrews,  all  alumni,  were  selected  by  Omega 
as  her  committee  of  arrangements. 

Early  in  May  of  '82  the  committee  met  and 
drew  up  circulars  calling  on  all  Illinois  Sigma 
Chis  for  the  necessary  funds  to  carry  on  the  wrork. 
The  response  was  both  speedy  and  liberal,  and 


124  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

nearly  $800  were  raised.  To  acquaint  Sigma 
Chis  everywhere  with  the  fact  of  the  convention, 
and  to  earnestly  request  their  attendance,  was  the 
next  step.  Two  thousand  invitations,  of  tasty 
design,  giving  the  names  of  the  orator,  poet  and 
reception  committee,  were  engraved  and  distrib- 
uted. The  Hon.  John  M.  Hamilton,  governor  of 
Illinois,  was  chosen  orator,  and  Hon.  J.  J.  Piatt, 
poet.  The  palatial  Grand  Pacific  Hotel  was 
secured  for  the  sessions  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 
The  time  for  the  meeting  now  drew  on  apace. 
Visitors  and  delegates  began  to  arrive.  On  the 
evening  of  the  yth  of  November  a  party  of  about 
thirty  visited  the  Grand  Opera  House  and  listened 
to  "  Patience."  The  delegates  in  a  body  occupied 
seats  in  the  three  rows  just  in  front  of  the  orches- 
tra. A  very  pleasant  surprise  to  all  was  the  ren- 
dition on  the  part  of  the  troupe  of  a  very  pretty 
improvised  Sigma  Chi  song,  which  was,  to  be  sure, 
right  loyally  applauded.  Chicago  never  saw  a 
jollier  or  merrier  spectacle  than  when,  on  the  next 
morning,  about  eighty  of  the  brethren,  mounted 
on  the  Tally-Ho  coach,  or  seated  in  the  six  accom- 
panying carriages,  crossed  over  the  river  to  the 
North  side  on  a  tour  of  inspection  of  Lincoln 
park  and  the  elegant  residences  passed  on  the 
way.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  eighth  the  con- 
vention settled  down  to  business  in  earnest,  and 


FOURTEENTH    IUKNNIAL    CONVENTION.          125 

did  not  rise  from  its  labors  till  the  business  was 
fully  completed,  on  the  very  eve  of  the  banquet. 
Thus  many  little  diversions  planned  by  the 
committee  had  to  be  foregone.  The  literary 
exercises  of  the  Fourteenth  Session  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  consisted  in  the  masterly  oration  by  Gov. 
Hamilton,  and  the  poem  of  Bro.  Piatt,  which,  in 
the  latter's  absence,  was  read  by  proxy.  Imme- 
diately after  occurred  the  banquet  in  the  Ladies' 
Ordinary.  There  were  about  one  hundred  good 
and  loyal  Sigma  Chis  in  attendance.  Chaste  and 
beautiful  floral  designs  bearing  the  names  of  all  the 
chapters  represented  were  laid  upon  the  plate  of 
each  delegate.  The  pleasure  which  these  floral 
tokens  seemed  to  inspire  is  one  of  the  most  pleasing 
remembrances  of  the  committee.  After  the  ban- 
quet came  the  toasts,  with  Hon.  L.  C.  Collins  as 
toastmaster.  Witty,  wise  and  beautiful  were  the 
responses.  It  was  a  late  hour  when,  in  reply  to 
the  last  of  the  toasts,  "  the  word  which  makes  us 
linger,"  Bro.  Merrick,  '84,  took  his  seat  amidst 
a  chorus  of  applause.  The  banquet  and  exer- 
cises were  very  agreeably  interspersed  with  music 
by  Freiberg's  orchestra,  which  very  acceptably 
rendered  two  Sigma  Chi  waltzes  (by  Bros.  A. 
S.  Kemp  and  Carl  Merz,  respectively),  and  a 
Sigma  Chi  Polka  Mazurka  (by  E.  H.  Swen.)  So 
ended  the  formal  session  of  the  Fourteenth  Grand 
Chapter  of  Sigma  Chi — the  most  reformative, 


126  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

the  most  improving  and  successful  convention  she 
has  ever  held.  Still  many  of  the  delegates 
remained,  and  numerous  were  the  pleasure  excur- 
sions which  followed  the  convention.  Pullman, 
the  most  wonderful  of  industrial  paradoxes,  was 
visited.  The  stock-yards,  packing-houses,  and 
the  engine-rooms  of  the  Cable  Car  Company 
were  inspected.  The  fire  patrol  gave  an  exhibi- 
tion for  their  special  benefit  of  its  wonderful 
celerity  in  reaching  a  fire.  Others  embarked  on 
the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan.  On  the  morning 
of  this  last  day  of  the  Greeks'  visit,  seventy-five 
Sigma  Chis  took  the  cars  for  Evanston,  and 
visited  the  Northwestern  University,  where  they 
were  very  cordially  received  by  the  president, 
Joseph  Cummings.  His  words  in  regard  to  the 
good  influence  of  fraternities,  and  to  the  stand- 
ing of  Omega,  are  worthy  of  lasting  preservation. 
We  quote  them  entire  : 

"  I  have  great  pleasure  in  welcoming  you  this 
morning.  I  simply  wish  to  say  that  as  a  college 
officer  for  many  years  at  Middletown  and  other 
institutions,  I  have  never  entertained  any  of  the 
feeling  that  sometimes  exists  with  reference  to 
fraternal  organizations  of  this  character.  My 
associations  with  them  have  not  been  unprofit- 
able. 

"  I  have  never  found  any  difficulty  arising  there- 
from; on  the  other  hand,  I  have  great  pleasure  in 


FOURTEENTH    BIENNIAL    CONVENTION.         127 

testifying  that  their  influence  is  good.  My  own 
opinion  is,  that  these  associations  maintain  and 
intensify  the  sentiments  of  friendship  and 
brotherly  love.  Most  gentlemen  who  seek  college 
education  are  men  of  high  social  character;  the 
very  influence  you  have  in  this  association  tends 
to  strengthen  this  character,  help  the  weak  and 
foster  the  deserving.  I  have  very  favorable 
opinions  of  your  fraternity.  We  are  trying  in 
this  institution  to  do  noble  work;  we  are  trying 
to  make  good  and  honorable  men,  as  the  name 
Illinois  signifies,  I  believe.  /  have  great  pleasure 
in  saying  that  the  men  of  this  fraternity  who  have 
graduated  from  this  institution  are  the  men  to  whom 
we  point  with  pride  as  specimens.  We  shall  always 
be  happy  if  the  men  who  go  forth  in  the  future 
are  as  good  as  these." 

C.  A.  WIGHTMAN. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    NORTHWESTERN     DISTRICT    CONVENTION    OF 
SIGMA    CHI. 

ONE  of  the  features  of  the  college  year  of 
'83~'84,  in  fraternity  circles,  at  Northwestern 
University,  was  the  coming  together,  on  January 
25,  '84,  of  the  northwestern  chapters  of  Sigma 
Chi  in  a  district  convention,  for  the  twofold 
purpose  of  discussing  fraternity  work  and  plans 
and  prospects  and  of  extending  and  cementing 
friendly  and  fraternal  intercourse  among  the 
chapters  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago.  The  idea 
was  a  new  one  and  something  in  the  nature  of 
an  innovation.  Prior  to  this  date  there  had 
been  no  meetings  of  the  chapters  of  Sigma  Chi, 
except  at  the  regular  biennial  sessions  of  the 
Grand  Chapter,  and  the  meeting  at  Evanston 
was  planned  and  called  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining the  standing  of  the  chapters  in  the 
Northwest,  their  views  upon  the  various  ques- 
tions of  fraternity  policy,  their  attitudes  concern- 
ing proposed  plans,  and,  of  no  less  importance, 
the  creating  of  a  more  intimate  relationship 
among  contiguous  chapters.  It  is  not  definitely 
known  whose  fertile  brain  it  was  that  suggested 
the  convention,  but  there  are  very  strong  sus- 
128 


NORTHWESTERN    DISTRICT    CONVENTION.      129 

picions  that  the  honor  lies  between  the  well- 
known  member  of  the  general  fraternity  whose 
intelligence  is  recognized  as  among  the  best  on 
fraternity  matters,  and  the  reserved  and  studious 
compiler  of  fraternity  statistics  and  erstwhile  ad- 
mirer of  his  compeer  "  the  magazine  editor."  But 
be  that  as  it  may,  the  convention  was  held,  and  all 
the  Greeks  wondered.  Indiana  was  fully  and 
ably  represented  by  a  goodly  number  of  "typi- 
cal Indiana  Sigs,"  viz.:  McMahon  and  Collins,  of 
Xi;  Fisher  and  Wiggam,  of  Chi,  and  Bro.  C.  W. 
Dawson,  of  Fort  Wayne, — an  old  veteran  Sig  from 
Theta.  Iowa  sent  from  across  the  Mississippi 
Bro.  Parker  Holbrook,  of  Alpha  Eta,  and  in  him 
suffered  nothing  in  influence,  since  his  engaging 
manner  and  quiet,  manly  presence  gained  him 
attention,  respect  and  consideration.  Alpha 
Zeta,  being  at  that  time  the  only  chapter  in 
Wisconsin,  sent  as  her  delegates  Bros.  Bliss  and 
Cleveland,  the  one  taking  the  role  of  raconteur 
cclebre,  the  other  the  difficult  task  of  attracting 
the  attention  of  the  "chair."  Of  course  Illinois 
was  on  hand.  To  say  nothing  of  Evanston  and 
Chicago,  Heath  of  Kappa  Kappa,  and  Ader, 
"Adipose  Ader,"  and  Stahl  from  Alpha  Iota,  at 
Bloomington,  contributed  not  a  little  to  confirm 
the  prevalent  but  nevertheless  mistaken  impres- 
sion that  Illinois  men  are  very  wont  to  occupy 
the  floor. 


130  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

It  will  not  be  questioned,  I  take  it,  that  the 
old  halls  of  Omega  never  contained  so  many  brill- 
iant ideas  all  ready  to  blossom  forth  as  at  that 
time,  and  it  is  also  a  fact  beyond  all  possibility 
of  dispute  that  the  aforesaid  ideas  found  elo- 
quent though  not  always  uninterrupted  expres- 
sion. The  latter  adjective  is  imperative  here, 
because  of  the  numerous  points  of  order  raised 
by  Omega's  astute  parliamentarian  and  true  son 
of  his  father. 

Despite  the  warnings  of  the  now  deposed 
grand  councilman  that  the  convention  was  en- 
croaching upon  the  exclusive  rights  of  the  emi- 
nent board  of  which  he  formed  a  part,  and  con- 
stant reminders  from  the  same  source  that  "  we 
should  not  transgress  our  authority,"  the  conven- 
tion progressed  swimmingly.  The  magazine  was 
subjected  to  a  close  examination;  fraternity  ex- 
tension was  lauded  by  one  and  berated  by  another; 
the  song-book  was  laughed  at,  prayed  for  and 
wept  over;  rival  fraternities  were  not  neglected 
by  any  means,  though  by  general  consent  deemed 
unworthy  of  serious  attention.  As  a  result  the 
convention  after  two  days  and  two  nights'  session 
made  a  lengthy  and  detailed  report,  recommend- 
ing the  Grand  Chapter  to  take  action  upon  many 
propositions,  which  were,  in  fact,  adopted  at  the 
convention  in  the  following  August. 

It  is  perhaps  not  essential  here  to  give  a  digest 


NORTHWESTERN    DISTRICT    CONVENTION.       131 

of  the  report,  as  it  was  made  only  in  the  form  of 
a  recommendation,  but  suffice  it  to  say  that  the 
discussions  and  the  action  taken  at  that  time  had 
very  much  to  do  in  improving  the  mode  of  fra- 
ternity government,  which  was  made  a  promi- 
nent feature  at  the  convention  in  Cincinnati. 

At  one  of  the  evening  sessions  the  Omega  un- 
dergraduates read  essays  in  competition  for  the 
Elliot  prize — a  prize  given  by  Bro.  Frank  M. 
Elliot,  of  Omega,  and  established  by  him.  The 
evening  was  pleasantly  and  no  doubt  profitably 
spent,  the  essays  being  written  upon  a  fraternity 
topic  and  of  interest  to  all  Sigma  Chis.  Much 
to  the  surprise  of  all,  the  best  essay  was  the  pro- 
duction of  the  "  infant  "  member  and  a  freshman, 
though  seniors,  juniors  and  sophomores  com- 
peted. Bro.  Edward  L.  Shuman  was  awarded 
the  prize  and  received  the  deserved  congratula- 
tions of  his  auditors. 

The  convention  closed  its  session  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  26th  of  January,  and  in  the  evening 
a  supper  was  given  by  Omega  to  the  "visiting 
statesmen."  After  an  attenuated  discussion  of 
the  dishes  for  which  the  Avenue  House  is  noted, 
Dr.  Andrews,  of  Omega,  delivered  an  address  of 
welcome,  and  proposed  the  following  toasts: 

The  Local  Convention     .     .     Parker  Holbrook,  Alpha  Eta. 

Our  Magazine       .  W.  L.  Fisher,  Chi. 

The  Iron  Clad  Oath    .     .      .    W.  A.  Heath,  Kappa  Kappa, 


132  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Ye  Old  Sigs        .         .          .  C.  M.  Dawson,  Theta. 

Our  Rivals     .        .        .         .  F.  D.  Ader,  Alpha  Iota. 

The  Goat C.  M.  Bliss,  Alpha  Zeta. 

"Indiana  Sigs"     .        .        .  E.  W.  McMahon,  Xi. 

Chicago  Alumni        .        .       .  F.   M.  Elliot,  Omega. 

All  of  the  toasts  were  happily  responded  to 
and  much  merriment  and  good  feeling  prevailed. 
At  a  late  hour  the  fraternal  company  dispersed, 
voting  the  district  convention  a  grand  success 
and,  in  the  terse  vocabulary  of  Oliver  Twist,  call- 
ing for  "  more."  G.  P..  MERRICK. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

PRIZE    MEX    OF    OMEGA. 

LORIN  C.  COLLINS,  '72;  Day  prize  for  best  essay 
in  competition  for  place  on  Blanchard  contest. 

George  Lunt,  '72;  Day  prize  for  best  essay  in 
competition  for  place  on  Blanchard  contest. 

Edwin  J.  Harrison,  '72;  Day  prize  for  best  essay 
in  competition  for  place  on  Blanchard  contest. 

Merritt  C.  Bragdon,  '71;  Adelphic  Declamation 
contest,  second  prize. 

Clarence  R.  Paul,  '72;  Lunt  prize  for  best  dis- 
sertation on  classical  and  English  philosophy. 

Henry  Allen  Cooper,  '73;  Junior  prize,  June  7, 
'72.  Debate  prize  between  junior  and  sophomore 
classes.  Hurd  prize  for  best  essay  in  competition 
for  place  on  Blanchard  contest.  Blanchard  prize, 
one-half  prize,  for  best  oration. 

William  M.  Knox,  '74;  Lunt  prize  for  best 
English  essay.  Hurd  prize  for  best  essay  on  sci- 
entific subject. 

John  Henry  Hamline,  '75;  Hurd  prize  for  best 
essay  in  competition  for  place  on  Blanchard  con- 
test. 

Frank  Mitchell  Harris,  '75;  prize  in  Descrip- 
tive Geometry. 

Fred  M.  Taylor,  '76;  Sophomore  Debate  prize 


134  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

for  best  debate  between  junior  and  sophomore 
classes,  June  19,  '74.  Hurd  prize  in  competi- 
tion for  place  on  Easter  contest.  Easter  prize, 
one-half,  for  writing  and  pronouncing  the  best 
English  oration.  Intercollegiate  prize  for  best 
English  essay  in  contest  at  New  York,  '76. 
Intercollegiate  prize,  second  prize,  for  excellence 
in  mental  philosophy,  in  contest  at  New  York, 
1876. 

Winfield  Scott  Mathew,  '76;  Preparatory  dec- 
lamation prize,  June  10,  '70.  Kedzie  prize, 
second  prize,  for  best  freshman  declamation, 
March  6,  '73.  Hurd  prize  for  best  essay  in 
competition  for  place  on  Easter  contest.  Easter 
prize,  one-half,  for  writing  and  pronouncing  the 
best  English  oration. 

Theophilus  B.  Hilton,  '76;  Gage  prize  for  ex- 
cellence in  debate,  March  19,  '75. 

Charles  P.  Wheeler,  '76;  silver-mounted  rose- 
wood base-ball  bat  for  highest  average  batting 
during  season  '76. 

Frank  E.  Knappen,  '77;  Sophomore  contest 
prize  for  best  declamation  between  junior  and 
sophomore  classes,  February  9,  '75.  Gage  prize 
for  excellence  in  debate,  January  18,  '76. 

Henry  Frank,  '77;  Kedzie  prize  for  best  fresh- 
man declamation,  March  9,  '74. 

Frank  M.  Elliot,  '77;  Hurd  prize  for  best  essay 
in  competition  for  place  on  Easter  contest. 


PRIZE    MEN    OF    OMEGA.  135 

William  H.  Harris,  '78 ;  Phillips  prize  for 
excellence  in  English  composition,  1875.  Rock 
River  Seminary  prize  for  excellence  in  Latin 
scholarship  during  sophomore  year,  1876.  Deer- 
ing  prize  for  best  essay  in  competition  for  place 
on  Kirk  contest.  Kirk  prize,  one-half,  for  writing 
and  pronouncing  best  English  oration. 

William  M.  Booth,  '78  ;  Kedzie  prize  for  ex- 
cellence in  Greek  scholarship.  Deering  prize 
for  best  essay  in  competition  for  place  on  Kirk 
contest. 

Edward  Wyllys  Andrews,  '78;  Deering  prize 
for  best  essay  in  competition  for  place  on  Kirk 
contest  Valedictorian  class,  '81,  Chicago  Medical 
College. 

Nathan  S.  Davis,  Jr.,  '80;  Hinman  prize  for  best 
English  essay,  1878.  Edwards  prize  for  best 
scholarship  record  in  College  of  Medicine  (under- 
graduate), 1882.  Faculty  prize  for  thesis  repre- 
senting the  best  original  investigation,  1883. 
Alumni  prize  for  best  scholarship  record,  1883, 
all  classes  competing  in  College  of  Medicine. 

George  Peck  Merrick,  '84;  Gage  prize,  second 
prize,  for  excellence  in  debate,  1882.  Deering 
prize  for  best  essay  in  competition  for  place  on 
Kirk  contest. 

,    Charles    A.    Wightman,   '85  ;    Omega   Alumni 
essay  prize,  1883. 

Edwin  L.  Shuman,  '87;  Scholarship  at  North- 


136  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

western  University  for  entire  course,  for  highest 
grade  in  examinations  at  entering  college,  1883. 
Elliot  prize  for  best  English  essay,  1884. 

Total   prize    men,   twenty-three;    total    prizes, 
forty-four. 

Omega  Speakers  on  Commencement. 
F.  C.  Winslow,  1870. 
A.  D.  Langworthy,  1870. 
M.  C.  Bragdon,  1870. 
George  L.  Yaple,  1871. 
Hamilton  S.  Wicks,  1871. 
Lorin  C.  Collins,  1872. 
James  G.  Burke,  1872. 
Eltinge  Elmore,  1872. 
E.  H.  Beal,  1872. 
George  E.  Bragdon,  1872. 
Edwin  J.  Harrison,  1872. 
Frederick  D.  Raymond,  1872. 
C.  R.  Paul  (excused),  1872. 
J.  Frank  Robinson,  1872. 
Henry  A.  Cooper,  1873. 
Theophilus  B.  Hilton,  1876. 
Winfield  Scott  Mathew,  1876. 
William  G.  Evans,  1877. 
Frank  E.  Knappen,  1877. 
William  M.  Booth,  1878. 
W.  L.  Demorest,  1878. 
William  H.  Harris,  1878. 


PRIZE    MEN    OF    OMEGA.  137 

• 

Dexter  P.  Donelson,  1879. 
C.  A.  Foulks,  1880. 
Robert  B.  Jessup,  1880. 
Nathan  S.  Davis,  Jr.,  1880. 
Mason  Bross,  1884,  law  college. 
Albert  D.  Currier,  1884. 
Total,  twenty-eight. 

Omega  Class -Day  Orators. 
Hamilton  S.  Wicks,  1871. 
Henry  A.  Cooper,  1873. 
Winfield  Scott  Mathew,  1876. 
Albert  D.  Currier,  1884. 

Washington's  Birthday  Orators. 
George  L.  Yaple,  1871. 
James  S.  Norris,  1875. 

Lincoln  s  Birthday  Orators. 
Winfield  Scott  Mathew,  1875. 
Fred  M.  Taylor,  1875. 

Omega  Orators  Before  the  Alumni  Association. 
Hamilton  S.  Wicks,  1875. 
George  L.  Yaple,  1884. 

Men   of    Omega    who    appeared    on   Junior    Class 

Exhibitions. 

F.  C.  Winslow,  March  23,  1869. 
A.  D.  Langworthy,  March  23,  1869. 


138  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

M   C.  Bragdon,  March  23,  i86g. 

J.  F.  Robinson,  March  28,  1871. 

C.  R.  Paul,  March  28,  1871. 

George  Lunt,  March  28,  1871. 

J.  G.  Burke,  March  28,  1871. 

George  E.  Bragdon,  March  28,  1871. 

E.  H.  Beal,  March  28,  1871. 

Henry  A.  Cooper,  May  3,  1872. 

John  H.  Hamline,  March  26,  1874. 

Fred  M.  Taylor,  March  24,  1875. 

A.  S.  Appleton,  March  24,  1875. 

W.  S.  Mathew,  March  24,  1875. 

Frank  E.  Knappen,  March  23,  1876. 

E.  W.  Andrews,  March  19,  1877. 

W.  M.  Booth,  March  19,  1877. 

W.  H.  Harris,  March  19,  1877. 

These  exhibitions  were  discontinued  by  the 
faculty  after  this  date.  The  first  exhibition  took 
place  April  6,  1859. 

Men  of   Omega   who   appeared  on   Hinman  Essay 

Contests. 

William  M.  Knox,  February  9,  1874. 
John  H.  Hamline,  March  12,  1875. 
J.  S.  Norris,  March  12,  1875. 
Frank  E.  Knappen,  May  4,  1877. 
W.  H.  Harris,  May  16,  1878. 
E.  W.  Andrews,  May  16,  1878. 
Nathan  S.  Davis,  Jr.,  May  9,  1879.     Prize. 


PRIZE    MEN    OF    OMEGA.  139 

Raymond  V.  De  Groff,  May  20,  1881. 
George  P.  Merrick,  April  20,  1883. 

Men    of    Omega    ivho    appeared    on    Jtinior    and 

Sophomore  Declamation  Contests. 
Daniel  C.  Riehl,  May  20,  1873. 
John  H.  Hamline,  May  19,  1874. 
A.  S.  Appleton,  May  19,  1874. 
Frank  E.  Knappen,  February  9,  1875. 
F.  M.  Taylor,  February  9,  1875. 
W.  L.  Demorest,  January  13,  1876. 
W.  M.  Booth,  January  13,  1876. 
George  P.  Merrick,  April  7,  1882. 

Men    of    Omega    who     appeared    on    Junior    and 

Sophomore  Debate  Contests. 
Henry  A.  Cooper,  June  7,  1872.     Prize. 
Fred  M.  Taylor,  June  19,  1874.     Prize. 
T.  B.  Hilton,  Jr.,  March  19,  1875.     Prize. 
Frank  E.  Knappen,  January  18,  1876.    Prize. 
George  P.  Merrick,  April  6,  1882.   Second  prize. 
Albert  D.  Currier,  April  6,  1883. 
Charles  A.  Wightman,  March  24,  1884. 

Omega   as   Represented    on   Freshman   Declamation 

Contests. 

I.  E.  Lambert,  March  8,  1872. 
F.  M.  Taylor,  March  6,  1873. 
W.  S.  Mathew,  March  6,  1873.     Second  prize. 
W.  L.  Demorest,  March  9,  1874. 


140  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

F.  E.  Knappen,  March  9,  1874. 
A.  D.  Early,  March  9,  1874. 
Henry  Frank,  March  9,  1874.     First  prize. 
F.  A.  Early,  March  9,  1874. 

These  contests  were  discontinued  after  this 
latter  date  by  the  faculty. 

Men  of  Omega  who  have  appeared  on  Contests  and 
Public  Entertainments,  or  occupied  honorable  po- 
sitions not  mentioned  elsewhere  in  these  annals. 

Henry  A.  Pearson,  trustee  of  N.W.  U.,  1882- 
1885. 

George  L.  Yaple,  poet  of  his  class,  1871. 

Eltinge  Elmore,  president  of  class,  1872. 

James  G.  Burke,  historian  of  class,  1872. 

F.  D.  Raymond,  memorialist  of  class,  1872. 

C.  R.  Paul,  ivy  orator  of  class,  1872. 

L.  C.  Collins,  captain  life-boat  of  class,  1872. 

F.  M.  Taylor,  chorister  of  class,  1876;  debater 
friendly  contest  of  literary  societies,  November 
6,  1874. 

T.  B.  Hilton,  jr.,  orator  burning  books,  1876; 
debater  friendly  contest  of  literary  societies, 
November  6,  1874. 

W.  S.  Mathew,  ivy  orator,  1876. 

F.  E.  Knappen,  declamation,  March  21,  1873, 
joint  session  literary  societies. 

F.  A.  Early,  editor,  March  21,  1873,  joint  ses- 
sion literary  societies. 


PRIZE    MEN    OF    OMEGA.  141 

F.  M.  Harris,,  thesis;  college  of  technology. 

James  E.  Deering,  speaker  Euphronian  anni- 
versary, February  18,  1876. 

Henry  Frank,  speaker  friendly  contest,  Tri 
Kappa  and  Hinman,  October  i,  1873;  prize  at 
Harvard  College. 

John  W.  Bennett,  speaker  Preparatory  anni- 
versary, June  17,  1876. 

W.  M.  Knox,  orator  literary  entertainment, 
February  26,  1874;  orator  friendly  contest  of  Tri 
Kappa  and  Hinman,  at  Chicago,  December  n, 
1873;  subject,  12  to  i.. 

J.  S.  Norris,  declamation  literary  entertain- 
ment, February  26,  1874;  orator  friendly  contest 
literary  societies,  November  6,  1874. 

F.  W.  Randolph,  essayist  Public  School,  June 
26,  1874;  prophet  class,  1881;  prize  oration  Union 
College  of  Law,  1881. 

M.  M.  Gillet,  debater  entertainment  Decem- 
ber 13,  1872. 

E.  B.  Parrish,  debater  entertainment  December 
13,  1872. 

W.  G.  Evans,  president,  class  1877. 

Frank  M.  Elliot,  secretary  and  treasurer  Alum- 
ni Association,  1883-1884;  President  Alumni  Asso- 
ciation, 1884-1885;  Grand  Aannotator  Sigma  Chi 
Fraternity,  1884-1886. 

W.  H.  Harris,  declamation  joint  session  liter- 


142  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ary  societies,  December  15,  1876;  editor  join}  ses- 
sion literary  societies,  winter  1878. 

George  P.  Merrick,  orator  joint  session  liter- 
ary societies,  February  16,  1883;  Grand  Quaestor 
Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  1882-1884. 

E.  W.  Andrews,  responsive  address  on  behalf 
of  class  '81,  Chicago  Medical  College;  Grand 
Proetor  fifth  province  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity, 
1884-1886. 

W.  M.  Booth,  Grand  Quaestor  Sigma  Chi  Fra- 
ternity, 1884-1886. 

Booth,  Andrews,  Elliot,  Grand  Triumvirs  Sigma 
Chi  Fraternity,  1884-1886. 

A.  D.  Currier,  orator  open  session  Hinman, 
October  14,  1882. 

R.  V.  Jessup,  Jr.,  president  class,  1880. 

Charles  S.  Slichter,  president  class,  1885. 

C.  A.  Wightman,  essayist  open  session  Hin- 
man, November  9,  1883;  Grand  Historian  Sigma 
Chi  Fraternity,  1884-1886. 

It  will  be  observed,  from  an  examination  of 
these  several  lists,  that  over  one  half  of  the  men 
of  Omega  are  represented  in  them.  It  is  well 
to  bear  in  mind,  in  this  connection,  that  a  num- 
ber of  the  members  did  not  graduate,  and  had, 
therefore,  no  opportunity  of  appearing  on  con- 
tests and  public  programmes. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  BLANCHARD  PRIZE. 

ONE  of  the  oldest  and  most  important  prizes 
offered  for  competition  in  the  University  is  the 
Blanchard.  The  honor  of  establishing  this  meri- 
torious prize  is  due  to  Mr.  R.  P.  Blanchard,  of 
the  class  of  '70.  It  was  his  intention  to  endow  it 
with  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  the  inter- 
est of  which  would  aggregate  one  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  this  was  to  constitute  an  annual  prize. 
This,  however,  was  not  done,  and  Mr.  Blanchard 
paid,  instead,  the  hundred  dollars  each  year  until 
1876,  when  financial  difficulties  overcame  him.  The 
prize  known  as  "  The  Blanchard  "  ceased  at  that 
time.  One  of  the  generous  citizens  of  Evanston, 
Mrs.  J.  D.  Easter,  then  donated  the  required 
amount,  and  the  prize  was  known  as  "  The  Eas- 
ter." In  1878  another  change  took  place,  and  the 
money  for  the  prize  was  kindly  given  by  Mrs. 
James  S.  Kirk.  Since  this  latter  change  the  prize 
has  been  called  "The  Kirk." 

The  prize,  as  already  stated,  is  one  hundred 
dollars,  and  is  given  to  that  member  of  the  senior 
class  who  shall  write  and  deliver  the  best  English 
oration.  In  order  to  compete  for  this  prize  the 
contestant  must  be  free  from  conditions.  The 


144  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

number  of  competitors  is  five,  and  they  are 
selected  by  the  faculty  after  examining  their 
essays.  The  subjects  for  the  essays  are  given  out 
by  the  faculty  about  a  year  before  the  oratorical 
contest  takes  place.  The  essays  are  sent  in  to 
compete  for  a  prize  established  as  the  "  Day  " 
prize,  and  which  was  changed  in  '73  to  the 
"  Hurd  "  prize.  It  was  again  changed  in  '78  to 
"  The  Deering  "  essay  prize.  The  five  persons 
who  write  the  best  essays  receive  ten  dollars  each 
and  are  entitled  to  appear  in  the  oratorical  con- 
test. Instead  of  dividing  the  Hurd  prize, 
it  was  given  entirely  to  the  one  who  wrote  the 
best  essay. 

The  oratorical  prize  is  looked  forward  to  by  a 
large  number  of  students  with  anxious  eyes,  as 
the  most  desirable  thing  to  obtain  while  in  college. 
A  diploma  is  of  little  consequence  in  comparison 
with  this  honor.  To  win  the  Blanchard,  the  Eas- 
ter, or  the  Kirk,  is  worth  all  the  other  gifts  of  the 
institution  put  together.  It  is  considered  a  high 
privilege  to  compete  for  this  prize,  and  the  goal 
of  the  student's  ambition  in  college  is  reached 
when  he  has  won  it. 

The  Blanchard  was  inaugurated  by  the  class 
of  '71,  and  the  first  contest  took  place  June 
23  of  that  year.  The  managers  of  the  prize 
adopted  a  new  feature  for  commencement  exer- 
cises, and  introduced  the  custom  of  charging  an 


THE    BLANCHARD    PRIZE.  145 

admittance  fee.  The  reasons  set  forth  by  the  con- 
testants for  adopting  this  course  sound  strange 
enough  to  this  later  generation,  but  were  no 
doubt  valid  and  sufficient  for  that  time.  They 
were  as  follows:  "  First,  To  debar  the  little  boys 
who  invariably  disturb  the  exercises.  Second, 
Without  some  distinction  of  this  kind  we  cannot 
provide  for  seating  comfortably  those  who  would 
like  to  attend  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  the 
speeches  and  music.  Third,  By  the  additional 
help  of  twenty-five  cents  from  each  spectator  we 
shall  be  able  to  provide  y?/^/-class  music.  Fourth. 
It  will  scarcely  be  expected  that  four  individuals 
could  afford  to  expend  $80  or  $100  in  the  way 
of  Jirsf-class  music,  programs,  hall  rent,  elocu- 
tionary drill,  etc.,  for  the  public,  when  only  one 
can  possibly  receive  any  financial  remuneration 
in  return;  besides,  at  other  colleges  it  is  custom- 
ary to  have  one  entertainment  the  proceeds  of 
which  are  applied  to  help  defray  necessary  ex- 
penses." The  expenses  of  this  contest  are  now 
paid  by  the  University.  The  first  contest  was 
presided  over  by  Dr.  E.  O.  Haven,  then  president 
of  the  University. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  con- 
testants for  the  different  years,  the  names  of  the 
prize  winners,  and  their  subjects: 

1871.— J.  H.  Raymond,  E.  R.  Shrader,  R.  D. 
Russell,  H.  W.  Woodruff,  C.  W.  Pearson,  excused. 


146  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Prize  divided  between  Raymond,  whose  subject 
was,  "  The  Permanence  of  Our  National  Institu- 
tions," and  Shrader,  whose  subject  was  "Edwin 
M.  Stanton." 

1872. —  Lorin  C.  Collins,  George  Lunt,  R.  B. 
Edwards,  E.  J.  Harrison,  W.  O.  Peet,  A.  L.  Smith. 
Prize  given  to  Smith;  subject,  "Cavour  and 
Italy."  The  judges  found  the  essays  so  even  in 
merit  that  six  men  were  allowed  to  appear  on 
the  contest. 

1873. —  Henry  A.  Cooper,  E.  C.  Arnold,  F.  W. 
Cleveland,  J.  R.  Leslie,  Henry  Green.  Prize  di- 
vided. Cooper;  subject,  "The  Third  Napoleon 
and  the  Lessons  of  His  Career."  Arnold;  sub- 
ject, "Unification  of  Mankind." 

1874.—  William  M.  Knox,  W.  L.  McGarry,  Eli 
McClish,  R.  G.  Hobbs,  M.  S.  Kaufman.  Prize 
divided.  McClish;  subject,  "The  Jew."  Arnold; 
subject,  "  Charles  Sumner." 

1875 — John  H.  Hamline,  F.  M.  Warrington,  J. 
J.  Crist,  J.  F.  Stout,  F.  A.  Hills.  Prize  given  to 
Crist;  subject,  "Oliver  Cromwell." 

1876— Easter  Prize:  F.  M.  Taylor,  F.  H.  Scott, 
W.  S.  Mathew,  S.  S.  Bradford,  S.  C.  McPherrin. 
Prize  divided.  Taylor;  subject,  "Napoleon  Bona- 
parte." Mathew;  subject,  "Lincoln  and  Slavery." 

1877— C.  H.  Morgan,  E.  J.  Bickell,  H.  R. 
Antes,  Elizabeth  R.  Hunt,  Frank  M.  Elliot.  Prize 
given  to  Morgan;  subject,  "The  Moral  Element 


THE    BLANCHARD    PRIZE.  147 

in  Human  Progress";  honorable  mention,  Miss 
Hunt. 

1878— W.  M.  Booth,  E.  W.  Andrews,  W.  H. 
Harris,  E.  M.  Kinman,  W.  M.  Ackerman.  Prize 
divided.  Harris;  subject,  "The  Duty  of  the 
Scholar  in  American  Politics."  Ackerman;  sub- 
ject, "The  Search  for  Truth." 

1879— T.  H.  Hood,  W.  A.  Hamilton,  J.  T.  Mus- 
grove,  Jessie  Moore,  Ella  S.  Prindle.  Prize  given 
to  Miss  Moore;  subject,  "The  Wesleyan  Refor- 
mation." 

1880— F  A.  Wood,  W.  B.  Norton,  Helen  L. 
Miller,  Cassie  M.  Scott,  Julia  D.  Watson.  Prize 
won  by  Miss  Watson;  subject,  "The  Scottish 
Covenanters." 

1 88 1— George  A.  Foster,  P.  H.  Swift,  W.  H. 
Huston,  J.  P.  Brushingham,  J.  A.  Matlack.  Prize 
given  to  Foster;  subject,  "The  Epic  Period  of 
American  History." 

1882— F.  H.  Sheets,  Frank  M.  Merrill,  H.  H. 
Miller,  Emily  Hatfield,  Emma  Prindle.  Prize 
given  to  Miss  Prindle;  subject,  "  Edmund  Burke." 

1883— J.  C.  Bannister,  M.  M.  Gridley,  H.  H. 
Denman,  J.  T.  Hatfield,  W.  E.  Wilkinson.  Prize 
given  to  Bannister;  subject,  "Hildebrande." 

1884— George  P.  Merrick,  C.  S.  Raddin,  W.  F. 
Atchison,  W.  H.  Crawford,  Charles  Horswell. 
Prize  giv-en  to  Crawford;  subject,  "William  the 
Silent." 


148  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

There  have  been  thirteen  Sigma  Chis  on  these 
contests  during  the  period  of  fourteen  years. 
She  has  won  one-half  of  four  prizes.  Ten  of  the 
subjects  of  the  winners  were  biographical;  four, 
historical;  three,  abstract-religious,  and  two,  ab- 
stract-political. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

MISCELLANY THE    SPADE    AND    SERPENT. 

To  the  class  of  '75  is  due  the  credit  of  estab- 
lishing a  class  secret  society,  modeled  after  those 
at  Harvard  and  Yale.  The  object  was  to  create 
a  higher  scholarship  and  bring  into  closer  rela- 
tions members  of  the  same  class,  who  had  previ- 
ously been  held  apart  by  membership  in  the 
ordinary  secret  societies.  The  plan  was  to  select 
not  more  than  fifteen  men  from  the  incoming 
senior  class  who  were  recognized  as  being  more 
than  ordinary  students,  and  to  make  the  society 
so  attractive  and  select  that  from  the  freshmen  to 
the  senior  year  the  student  would  prepare  him- 
self to  become  entitled  to  membership  in  it.  The 
society  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1875,  and 
was  called  the  Spade  and  Serpent.  It  adopted  a 
badge  in  the  form  and  appearance  of  a  miniature 
coffin,  made  of  gold  and  black  enamel,  bearing 
on  its  face,  in  gold  relief,  a  spade,  around  which 
was  entwined  a  serpent. 

It  started  with  fifteen  men,  the  principal 
movers  being  J.  H.  Hamline,  L.  C.  Coleman,  F. 
M.  Warrington,  J.  J.  Crist,  and  A.  R.  Robinson. 

During  commencement  of  1875  the  society 
elected  from  the  incoming  class  A.  S.  Appleton, 


150  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

F.  M.  Taylor,  J.  W.  Dickson,  T.  B.  Hilton,  Jr., 
J.  A.  J.  Whipple,  W.  S.  Mathew,  F.  H.  Scott,  C. 
P.  Wheeler,  C.  A.  Gardner  and  A.  W.  McPher- 
son.  The  society  offered  a  junior  prize  of  $25, 
to  be  given  to  that  member  of  the  junior  class 
who  should  attain  the  highest  scholarship.  The 
faculty,  however,  refused  to  award  it,  as  it  did 
not  wish  in  this  public  manner  to  recognize 
secret  societies. 

Although  the  society  was  of  great  benefit  to 
the  class  of  '75  in  bringing  into  closer  relations 
the  members  who  had  formerly  been  somewhat 
noted  for  their  lack  of  interest  in  one  another, 
still  it  did  not  possess  the  vitality  necessary  for  a 
long  existence.  The  Spade  and  Serpent  Society 
did  not  live  long,  but  before  its  final  dissolution 
it  very  properly  gave  and  bequeathed  the  $25  re- 
fused by  the  faculty  to  the  alumni  association. 

THE    LIFE-SAVING    CREW. 

After  the  wreck  of  the  Lady  Elgin,  in  August, 
1860,  and  the  terrible  loss  of  life  by  that  noted 
disaster,  the  government  authorities  at  Washing- 
ton were  solicited  to  establish  a  life-saving  station 
here.  The  matter  rested  for  a  long  time,  until 
October  i,  1871,  when  a  life-saving  boat  was  pre- 
sented to  the  University  by  the  government.  The 
crew  which  manned  this  boat  was  taken  from 
the  students  in  college,  and  generally  from  the 


MISCELLANY.  151 

senior  class.  It  became  a  custom  on  class-day  to 
present  the  boat  to  the  incoming  senior  class. 
The  first  crew  consisted  of  L.  C.  Collins,  cox- 
swain; George  Lunt,  stroke;  E.  J.  Harrison,  bow; 
Eltinge  Elmore,  George  Bragdon,  F.  Roys  and 
M.  D.  Kimball. 

It  was  largely  through  the  efforts  of  the  class 
of  '72  that  the  life-boat  was  secured,  and  it  is 
from  this  beginning  that  has  grown  the  artistic 
and  useful  building  which  adorns  our  campus  on 
the  lake  shore.  It  is  considered  one  of  the  most 
important  and  best  equipped  government  stations 
on  the  Great  Lakes. 

THE    FAMOUS    NINE    OF    l8yi. 

One  of  the  most  famous  baseball  nines  ever 
in  the  University  played  during  the  season  of 
1871.  It  was  the  time  when  high  scores  were 
made,  and  when  the  contests  were  most  spirited. 
The  nine  was  composed  of  the  following  men: 
Kimball,  c.;  Langworthy,  s.s. ;  Collins,  p.;  Gains, 
ib. ;  Lunt,  2b.;  Drake,  3b. ;  Beaty,  r.f. ;  Elmore, 
c.f. ;  Cooper,  l.f.;  Simmons,  scorer. 

During  the  season  the  nine  played  thirteen 
games  and  lost  only  two.  It  defeated  the  famous 
White  Stocking  Club,  of  Chicago,  on  June  3, 
1871,  by  a  score  of  18  to  12.  The  usual  scores 
made  were  enormous.  The  lowest  was  n  and 
the  highest  68.  There  was  one  of  57,  one  of  43, 


152  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

another  39  and   one  35.     Six  of  the  nine   were 
Sigma  Chis. 

THE    VELVET-TOPS. 

A  club  called  the  Velvet-Tops  was  organized 
with  the  object  in  view  of  having  meals  properly 
selected  and  cooked  at  a  reasonable  price. 
Simon  Peter  Douthart  was  the  steward,  and 
he  did  his  part  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  It 
started  in  January,  1877,  and  continued  for  several 
months,  until  the  price  of  membership  became  so 
high  that  it  was  necessary  to  disband  it.  The 
Velvet-Tops  were  not  delicate  eaters,  by  any 
means;  they  consumed  four  hundred  pounds  of 
beef  in  the  last  two  weeks  of  the  club's  existence, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  other  items  on  the  bill  of 
fare.  Nearly  all  of  the  active  Sigma  Chis  were 
members  of  this  famous  club. 

KING    KALAKUA. 

When  King  Kalakua,  of  the  Sandwich  Islands, 
was  visiting  this  country  in  1875,  it  occurred  to 
some  of  our  missionary  brothers  that  it  would  be 
a  good  idea  to  make  him  an  honorary  member  of 
the  fraternity.  It  was  said  that  when  Prince 
Albert  was  in  the  country  on  a  visit,  he  was  made 
a  member  of  a  college  fraternity  at  Cornell,  and 
he  was  so  pleased  and  gratified  by  the  distin- 
guished honor  conferred  upon  him,  that  upon  his 


MISCELLANY.  153 

return  to  his  home  he  purchased  an  elegant 
library  of  one  thousand  volumes  and  sent  it 
to  the  chapter  which  had  made  him  a  member. 
Whether  this  was  the  motive  for  attempting  to 
make  King  Kalakua  a  Sigma  Chi  is  not  known; 
at  any  rate,  a  profound  document  was  issued,  with 
all  the  pomposity  of  the  Knights  of  the  Crusades, 
and  sent  to  his  excellency  at  Chicago.  It  in- 
formed his  royal  highness  that  he  had  been  made 
a  member  of  our  mystical  association,  and  owing 
to  his  high  and  honorable  career  as  a  statesman 
and  a  philanthropist,  the  form  of  initiation  would 
be  modified  in  his  case,  and  that  all  that  would 
be  required  of  him  would  be  to  pay  the  custom- 
ary initiation  fee  of  $500.  This  distinguished 
nabob,  the  king  of  the  Cannibal  Islanders,  was 
not  civilized  enough  to  even  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  this  communication,  but  passed  us  by 
and  went  to  Milwaukee,  when  he  had  the  thirty- 
third  degree  of  the  masonic  order  conferred  upon 
him,  and  for  which  he  afterward  set  up  the  beer. 

WOOGLIN    AND    HIS   DORG. 

In  the  fall  of  1875  Mr.  David  Cavan,  the  genial 
and  accomplished  editor  of  the  Index,  was  short 
of  copy  for  his  paper.  He  mentioned  the  fact  to 
a  student  friend,  whereupon  the  friend  said  that 
he  had  a  story  at  home  which  he  thought  would 
do  credit  to  his  paper  and  be  of  especial  interest 


154  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

to  the  students.  "  Just  the  thing,"  replied  Mr. 
Cavan,  "bring  it  in,  by  all  means,  and  I  will  pub- 
lish it."  The  following  issue  of  the  Index  con- 
tained the  story.  It  was  read  with  decided  relish 
by  all  the  students,  except  the  Beta  Theta  Pi 
members.  They  regarded  it  as  extremely  un- 
fortunate, and  could  express  their  high  dudgeon 
in  no  stronger  terms  than  "scorning  "  those  who 
were  supposed  to  have  been  instrumental  in 
having  it  published.  The  story  was  a  statement 
of  the  secret  tenets  of  their  fraternity,  giving  a 
full  and  accurate  account  of  Wooglin  and  his 
Dorg.  For  a  long  time  after  the  "  eye  of  Woog- 
lin "  was  of  a  deep  vermilion  hue,  indicating,  it 
was  believed,  intense  disgust  and  anger.  The 
"  dorg  "  departed  from  its  mythical  nature  and 
assumed  the  attitude  of  its  prototype  when  its 
feelings  are  hurt,  and  has  since  appeared  with  its 
tail  more  or  less  crooked  between  its  legs. 

THE    GREEKS    AT    NORTHWESTERN. 

PHI  KAPPA  Psi. — Alpha  chapter,  of  Illinois, 
founded  in  1864.  The  chapter  was  suspended  in 
1870,  and  remained  in  this  condition  until  reor- 
ganized, May  25,  1878.  Total  membership,  101. 

SIGMA  CHI. — Omega  chapter  was  established 
in  June,  1869.  Its  total  membership  to  date,  no. 

PHI  KAPPA  SIGMA.  —  Upsilon  chapter  was 
founded  in  1872.  Total  membership,  75. 


MISCELLANY.  155 

BETA  THETA  Pi. — Rho  chapter  was  established 
in  July,  1873.  Total  membership,  69. 

DELTA  UPSILON  (non-secret).  —  Northwestern 
chapter  was  established  February  18,  1880.  Total 
membership,  42. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

I FRATERNITY    INFLUENCE. 

COLLEGE  secret  societies  are  no  longer  an  ex- 
periment. They  have  been  thoroughly  tried,  and 
their  success  and  progress  have  been  marked  as 
popular  and  beneficent.  It  is  a  fact  now  believed 
by  the  foremost  educators  in  the  United  States 
that,  properly  managed,  and  inspired  by  correct 
principles,  they  are  an  immense  power  for  good. 

The  influence  of  a  fraternity  is  second  to  none 
in  the  experience  of  a  student's  college  life.  The 
time  of  entering  college  is  the  receptive  period. 
During  the  four  years  the  student  will  receive 
more  than  he  will  give  out,  and  the  things  re- 
ceived, the  discipline  of  the  mind,  and  the  culti- 
vation of  the  heart,  will  abide  longer  and  be 
more  potent  in  the  formation  of  character  than 
impressions  received  during  any  other  similar 
period.  The  mastery  of  the  curriculum  of  a  col- 
lege is  the  present  and  absorbing  object,  the 
ulterior  object  being  a  happy  and  successful  pro- 
gress through  life,  usefulness  to  mankind  and  a 
consciousness  of  having  done  well. 

Very  closely  allied  to  this  mental  progress 
should  be,  and  is  to  a  large  extent,  the  social 
progress,  or  the  cultivation  of  the  heart.  And 
156 


FRATERNITY    INFLUENCE.  157 

just  here  the  college  fraternity  steps  in  and  claims 
the  honor  of  promoting  this  heart  culture,  which 
binds  its  members  with  those  ties  of  friendship 
and  love  which  are  more  lasting  than  any  other 
outside  of  the  family  circle.  To  be  in  a  class  for 
four  years  does  not  hold  or  cement  friendships 
as  does  the  influence  of  a  college  fraternity. 
How  to  extract  roots  and  formulate  equations  is 
what  the  Professors  insist  we  shall  know,  and 
what  they  hope  we  shall  remember  to  our  dying 
day.  But  how  soon  are  all  these  forgotten! 
Quite  different  are  the  things  connected  with  a 
fraternity.  How  we  delight  in  calling  to  mind 
the  pleasures  which  its  associations  have  given 
us,  and  how  earnest  its  members  are  in  promot- 
ing the  general  welfare  of  the  fraternity! 

Too  much  stress  cannot  be  laid  on  the  influ- 
ence of  a  college  fraternity.  It  has  in  its  power 
the  destiny  of  young  men.  Its  influence  may  be 
of  the  greatest  benefit,  or,  if  not  properly  di- 
rected, it  may  become  very  pernicious.  On  this 
account  too  much  care  cannot  be  exercised  in 
admitting  only  proper  members.  The  conduct 
of  the  men  should  be  recognized  as  pure  and 
upright,  whether  in  college,  in  the  chapter  hall, 
or  in  the  business  world.  Everything  that  is  of 
good  report  should  be  around  the  chapter,  and 
everything  should  be  done  to  make  it  as  enduring 
as  the  University  itself. 


158  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

The  Northwestern  University  has  passed  its 
first  twenty-five  years.  Its  trials  are  mostly 
over.  Its  pioneer  work  is  finished.  Its  future 
is  great,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
it  will  continue  down  the  ages  of  time  as  the 
leading  institution  of  learning  in  this  great  cen- 
ter. Its  immense  land  interests  and  endowments, 
so  prudently  and  wisely  secured,  prevent  it  from 
ever  being  overthrown  by  the  whims  of  trade  or 
by  the  convulsions  of  a  panic.  Nothing  but  a 
foreign  invasion,  or  the  act  of  God,  will  be  able 
to  unseat  the  Northwestern  University.  In  view 
of  these  facts,  nothing  can  be  more  important  for 
Omega  than  to  lay  firm  her  foundations.  With 
the  prestige  of  fifteen  years  of  a  ripe  and  vigor- 
ous organization;  a  time  filled  with  many  suc- 
cesses and  cherished  honors;  with  the  strength 
of  its  members — men  who  are  fast  reaping  the 
rewards  of  a  good  and  courageous  life;  with  a 
character  sustained  by  noble  principles,  and  a 
wise  policy  pervading  its  government,  there  is 
little  more  now  to  be  done  to  give  Omega  the 
rich  and  deserving  legacy  of  a  thousand  years' 
life.  Her  principles  are  those  which  will  live  as 
long  as  truth  and  virtue  exist;  and  her  member- 
ship is  sufficiently  large  and  important  to  honor 
her  in  name,  and  to  excite  the  highest  aspira- 
tions among  her  younger  members. 


CHAPTER    HOME.  159 

II OMEGA    CHAPTER    HOUSE. 

It  has  been  pleasant  for  a  number  of  our 
brothers  to  think  of  Omega  for  a  long  time  as 
domiciled  in  a  home  of  her  own.  These  friends, 
whose  faith  in  this  enterprise  is  fortified  with 
substantial  backing,  have  organized  The  Omega 
Chapter  Home  Association  under  the  laws  of  Illi- 
nois. The  members  of  the  board  of  directors 
are:  MerrittC.  Bragdon,  Henry  A.  Pearson,  John 
H.  Hamline,  James  E.  Deering  and  Frank  M. 
Elliot.  A  house  is  desired  which  will  contain  all 
the  attractions  of  a  well  regulated  home.  There 
should  be,  it  is  thought  by  these  brothers,  an 
open,  recognized  attraction  in  it,  such  as  a  large, 
well-lighted  reading  room  with  all  the  current 
literature  on  its  tables — literature  which  shall 
embrace  all  the  available  secret-society  publica- 
tions, the  best  recognized  scientific,  educational 
and  religious  magazines,  and  the  best  daily, 
weekly  and  illustrated  papers  —  the  nucleus  of 
a  chapter  library,  to  be  increased,  and  to  com- 
prise a  large,  well  assorted,  miscellaneous  class 
of  books  suitable  for  students,  to  be  used  as 
text  and  reference  books,  and  such  other  works 
that  will  stimulate  their  minds  and  make  the 
chapter  house  a  pleasant  and  inviting  retreat 
from  the  idle  and  promiscuous  throng  outside. 
This  being  a  distinctive  feature,  the  .other  acces- 


l6o  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

sories  of  a  secret-society  hall  could  be  easily 
added  and  arranged. 

A  chapter  house  would  do  the  fraternity  much 
good,  and  would  give  Omega  a  permanency  that 
would  resist  the  ordinary  mutations  of  a  chap- 
ter life.  When  one  considers  the  influence  for 
good  by  such  a  simple  method  as  this,  no  time 
should  be  lost  to  establish  a  chapter  house. 
Omega  has  an  important  mission  to  perform. 
She  has,  and  will  have,  young  men  intrusted  to 
her  care  who  will  appreciate  the  increased  facili- 
ties of  literary  and  social  surroundings.  It  is 
believed  a  chapter  house  would  help  in  this  good 
work  more  than  anything  else  at  present. 

The  work  of  the  literary  societies  in  the  Uni- 
versity is  now  transferred  to  the  secret  fraterni- 
ties. Every  week  meetings  are  held,  and  they 
are  literary  as  well  as  social  in  their  character. 
What  is  now  being  done  in  this  way  by  Omega 
is  a  valuable  auxiliary  for  educating  and  perfect- 
ing young  men.  The  work  accomplished  has 
been  excellent,  and  is  fully  recognized  and  es- 
teemed by  professors  and  students  alike.  No 
better  testimony  could  be  given  of  the  worth 
and  importance  of  our  chapter  work  than  that  of 
our  esteemed  brother,  W.  Scott  Mathew,  '76, 
who  says:  " Among  the  most  delightful  and 
profitable  associations  in  my  life,  thus  far,  I  count 


A    MATTER    OF    POLICY.  l6l 

those  in  Sigma  Chi.     May  she  lift  up  her  stand- 
ard for  a  thousand  years." 

There  is  abundant  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
record  of  Omega.  A  house  dedicated  to  her 
honor  would  give  her  a  prestige  over  rival 
fraternities,  and  would  increase  and  make  more 
brilliant  her  splendid  achievements.  It  would 
be  a  home  for  all  Sigma  Chis  who  return  to 
these  classical  shades,  or  for  the  pilgrims  of  the 
white  cross  whose  wanderings  bring  them  in  this 
direction.  The  Omega  chapter  house  will  soon 
be  an  assured  fact.  The  pleasant  dream  of  a 
house  of  our  own  will,  it  is  sincerely  hoped,  be 
realized  in  the  near  future. 

Ill A    MATTER    OF    POLICY. 

The  studied  policy  which  Omega  has  main- 
tained all  through  her  history,  in  soliciting  men 
to  become  her  members,  has  been  fruitful  of 
good  results.  This  policy  has  been  combated 
by  the  opposition  fraternities  in  a  spirit  border- 
ing on  ferocity,  and  with  misrepresentations  as 
malignant  as  they  have  been  unjust.  Omega 
has  been  accused  of  all  manner  of  deceitfulness 
and  corruption  by  her  contemporaries  in  order 
to  prejudice  students  against  her.  In  all  this 
tirade  against  her  character,  she  has  not  so  much 
as  lifted  her  voice,  as  she  could  have  done,  to 
sound  the  demerits,  shallowness  and  vice  of  her 


162  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

opponents.  Her  policy  has  been  simply  that 
rule  which  is  termed  golden,  "Do  unto  others  as 
you  would  have  them  do  unto  you."  No  one 
will  question  the  wisdom  of  this  broad  and 
humanitarian  policy,  which  is  stamped  as  the 
best  in  all  civilized  and  enlightened  nations.  It 
may  seem  a  new  idea  for  a  fraternity  to  adopt> 
especially  when  the  strife  for  men  becomes  fierce 
and  desperate;  but  we  earnestly  believe  it  is  the 
only  true  and  manly  way  of  conducting  a  fra- 
ternity. It  can  do  no  possible  good  for  one  to 
abuse  the  character  of  the  men  of  another  fra- 
ternity, or  to  attach  a  stigma  of  vice  or  corruption 
to  one  member  with  the  view  of  bringing  dis- 
grace and  defeat  to  his  brotherhood.  We  hold 
it  to  be  a  truth,  that  a  fraternity  which  has  not 
enough  principle,  morality  and  intelligence  to 
base  its  merits  upon,  without  decrying  its  oppo- 
nents and  attempting  to  belittle  them,  is  not  the 
fraternity  for  a  man  to  join.  Competition  is 
necessary,  but  honorable  and  fair  competition  is 
the  only  true  method  of  conducting  a  fraternity 
composed  of  gentlemen.  We  are  not  claiming 
for  Omega  or  Sigma  Chi  that  all  her  members 
have  been  the  truest  and  best  men  in  the  uni- 
verse: nor  do  we  imagine  for  a  moment  that  our 
contemporary  Greeks  would  claim  as  much  for 
their  men.  It  would  be  absurd.  We  possess* 
however,  a  high  ideal  as  to  what  a  brother  in  our 


A    MATTER    OF    POLICY.  163 

order  should  be,  but  if  that  ideal  is  not  attained, 
the  individual,  not  the  fraternity,  is  at  fault.  We 
do  know  that  a  large  majority  of  our  brothers 
approach  very  nearly  to  the  high  mark  of  char- 
acter desired;  and  it  is  our  object  to  make  them 
better,  and  the  fraternity  stronger,  by  exhibiting 
the  merits  of  our  order,  rather  than  by  tearing 
down  the  character  of  our  opponents,  and  thus 
by  comparison  making  ourselves  greater.  We 
prefer  a  campaign  of  merits  to  the  pernicious 
doctrine  of  sounding  demerits.  No  fault  can  be 
laid  at  the  door  of  this  fraternity  on  that  ac- 
count. If  the  teachings  and  discipline  of  the 
Sigma  Chi  Fraternity -were  fully  learned  and 
heeded,  no  one,  not  the  most  hot-headed  objector 
to  secret  societies,  could  find  fault  or  say  aught 
against  it.  Let  our  opponents  say  what  they 
will,  but  let  Omega  maintain  her  dignified,  cour- 
ageous and  Christian  policy  of  good  will  to  all 
men,  and  in  the  end  the  wise  and  righteous 
cause  of  Sigma  Chi  will  prevail.  Our  contem- 
poraries cannot  fail  to  see  ere  long  the  wisdom 
of  our  course,  and  respect  and  honor  us  for  it. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  INTERCOLLEGIATE   LITERARY  ASSOCIATION. 

THIS  association  was  first  suggested  by  Col. 
T.  W.  Higginson,  in  Scribner's  Monthly  for  Jan- 
uary, 1873.  The  subject  was  discussed  by  stu- 
dents, professors  and  literary  men  in  the  news- 
papers and  magazines  until  February,  1874.  At 
that  time  the  idea  crystallized  into  a  visible  form. 
The  students  at  Princeton  College  opened  a  cor- 
respondence on  the  subject  with  those  of 
Williams.  This  correspondence  resulted  in  a  call 
being  issued  and  sent  to  the  leading  colleges  of 
the  United  States.  It  invited  each  of  the  colleges 
to  send  three  delegates  to  an  Intercollegiate 
Literary  Convention  to  be  held  at  Hartford,  Conn., 
February  19,  1874.  The  object  of  the  convention 
was  briefly  this: 

It  had  long  been  a  subject  of  reproach  that 
students  from  different  institutions  never  met  as 
contestants,  except  to  display  their  physical 
powers,  and  it  was  thought  that  contests  in 
scholarships,  essay  writing  and  oratory  might  be 
both  pleasant  and  profitable.  It  was  believed  that 
they  would  increase  public  interest  and  individual 
devotion  to  literature  and  science;  that  the  effi- 
ciency of  our  colleges  would  be  greatly  increased, 


INTERCOLLEGIATE    ASSOCIATION.  165 

and  that  they  would  give  an  incentive  for 
better  results,  both  among  students  and  pro- 
fessors. If  successful,  they  would  prove  a  salu- 
tary and  efficient  antidote  to  boating  and 
other  sporting  predilections  evinced  by  many 
of  the  colleges,  and  would  no  doubt  recall  the 
students  to  their  books  by  stimulating  the  powers 
of  the  mind  and  by  firing  their  ambition  for  a 
higher  and  better  culture. 

Fourteen  colleges  responded  to  the  call,  and  the 
association  was  duly  organized. 

The  first  prize  contest  was  in  1875.  The  prizes 
and  other  expenses  were  paid  by  the  contribution 
of  wealthy  people  of  New  York.  The  manage- 
ment of  the  association  was  in  the  hands  of  un- 
dergraduates, and  it  bade  fair  to  grow  in  strength 
and  importance,  and  become  a  potent  factor  in 
the  education  of  college  men. 

The  Northwestern  University  was  not  repre- 
sented until  January,  1876,  when  she  was  ad- 
mitted and  sent  competitors  to  the  different 
departments.  In  April,  1875,  a  meeting  of  the 
students  was  held,  and  after  adopting  the  consti- 
tution and  by-laws  of  the  Intercollegiate  Liter- 
ary Association,  a  plan  was  devised  for  the  selec- 
tion of  representatives.  It  was  decided  to  hold  a 
preliminary  oratorical  contest  in  September; 
citizens  of  the  village  to  be  the  judges;  the 
one  taking  the  first  prize  to  go  to  New 


l66  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

York,  and  the  second  to  Jacksonville,  where 
the  Interstate  oratorical  contest  would  be 
held.  The  orators  elected  were  \V.  Scott 
Mathew,  J.  F.  Stout,  F.  M.  Taylor,  T.  B. 
Hilton,  Jr.,  F.  M.  Bristol  and  John  Krantz.  On 
September  30  the  preliminary  contest  was  held 
in  the  Congregational  Church,  and  all  the  con- 
testants appeared  except  Mr.  Stout.  The  first 
prize  was  awarded  to  Frank  M.  Bristol,  and  the 
second  to  W.  Scott  Mathew.  This  contest  was  a 
remarkable  one,  inasmuch  as  every  oration  was 
finely  written  and  well  delivered,  but  no  one  at 
that  time  could  deliver  an  oration  like  Mr.  Bristol, 
or  put  heart  and  soul  into  it  as  he  could. 

On  January  4,  1876,  the  second  oratorical  con- 
test took  place  in  New  York  city.  There  were 
eleven  colleges  represented.  Cornell,  Hamilton, 
Princeton,  Williams,  Lafayette,  College  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  Syracuse,  St.  John's,  Uni- 
versity of  the  City  of  New  York,  Rutgers 
and  Northwestern  University.  Julian  M.  Elliot, 
of  Hamilton,  received  the  first  prize  in  ora- 
tory. His  subject  was,  "  The  Heroic  Element 
in  Modern  Life."  J.  D.  Tompkins,  of  Cornell,  took 
the  second  prize.  The  subject  of  Mr.  Bristol's 
oration  was,  "Hunger,"  and  the  reports  in  the 
papers  spoke  very  highly  of  his  effort.  The 
judges  were  William  Cullen  Bryant,  Whitelaw 
Reid  and  Geo.  W.  Curtis.  On  the  subject  for 


INTERCOLLEGIATE    ASSOCIATION.  167 

essay,  "  Dickens  and  Thackeray  Compared,"  Cor- 
nell took  first  and  Williams  the  second  prize. 
The  prize  for  the  best  essay,  on  "The  Advantages 
and  Disadvantages  of  Universal  Suffrage,"  was 
divided  between  N.  S.  Spencer,  of  the  College  of 
New  York,  and  Frank  A.  Hills,  of  the  North- 
western University.  Frank  M.  Harris,  '75,  con- 
tested for  the  prize  in  mathematics.  The  next 
day  the  Intercollegiate  Convention  was  held,  and 
John  H.  Hamline  was  chosen  secretary.  Mr.  C. 
P.  Wheeler  represented  N.  W.  U.  at  this  conven- 
tion. 

The  election  of  men  for  these  contests  was 
always  spirited.  The  different  candidates  had 
their  enthusiastic  friends  and  admirers,  and  plans 
were  generally  carefully  laid  a  long  time  before 
the  day  of  election.  The  feeling  between  the 
different  fraternities  ran  very  high  sometimes  in 
the  effort  to  elect  their  particular  candidates. 
Sometimes  the  tricky  and  questionable  methods 
of  the  ward  politician  were  adopted  in  order  to 
secure  the  majority  of  votes,  but  as  a  rule  the 
contests  were  honest  and  manly.  It  was  a  great 
honor  to  go  to  New  York  and  represent  the  Uni- 
versity at  these  contests.  Ours  was  the  only 
Western  institution  belonging  to  the  association. 
It  was  justly  considered  much  more  important 
than  to  be  on  the  program  for  any  of  the  local 
contests.  The  men  going  there  were  brought 


l68  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

in  contact  with  the  best  class  of  college  men. 
Their  ideas  were  broadened,  their  aspirations 
were  stimulated,  and  they  returned  with  a  keener 
and  better  relish  for  hard,  studious  work.  An 
excellent  opportunity  was  afforded  to  study  the 
methods  and  results  of  Eastern-bred  men. 

In  the  Fall  of  1876  the  contest  for  selecting  dele- 
gates was  perhaps  the  fiercest.  Eight  men  had 
been  elected  in  May,  1876,  to  compete  for  the  privi- 
lege of  going  to  New  York  as  the  orator,  but  only 
two  prepared  for  the  contest,  and  the  decision,  after 
all,  was  left  to  the  students.  It  was  generally 
conceded  in  the  college  that  F.  M.  Taylor 
was  entitled  by  his  preeminent  ability  to  repre- 
sent us  in  mental  science,  and  he  was  elected 
both  for  this  department  and  as  essayist  without 
opposition. 

The  real  contest  was  for  the  orator.  Sigma 
Chi  had  her  representative  in  the  person  of  W. 
S.  Mathew,  and  Beta  Theta  Pi  had  F.  H.  Scott. 
Mathew  had  had  considerable  practical  experi- 
ence and  had  made  an  excellent  impression  as  an 
orator.  Mr.  Scott,  his  opponent,  was  quite  young, 
and  had  appeared  in  public  only  a  few  times.  He 
was  naturally  bright  and  active,  and  at  this  time 
was  working  hard.  His  ambitious  friends  were 
no  doubt  more  determined  than  he  was,  and 
adopted  methods  not  exactly  fair  or  just.  Sigma 
Chi  was  represented  as  selfish  and  politi- 


INTERCOLLEGIATE    ASSOCIATION.  169 

cal;  rumors  calculated  to  do  her  injury  were  set 
in  motion,  and  the  contest  virtually  was  between 
Beta  Theta  Pi  and  the  field  against  Sigma  Chi. 
Anything  to  beat  Sigma  Chi.  The  merits  of  the 
men  cut  no  figure  in  the  contest.  Mr.  Scott  was 
finally  chosen  the  orator.  He  went  to  New  York 
and  delivered  his  oration,  but  he  was  nearly  sick 
at  the  time  and  failed  to  secure  the  prize.  The 
contestant  in  mental  science  was  Fred.  M. 
Taylor,  and  he  secured  the  second  prize.  The 
contestants  for  essay  prizes  were  Fred.  M. 
Taylor  and  C.  H.  Morgan.  Mr.  Taylor  took  the 
first  prize  in  essay,  making  $250  prize  money  se- 
cured by  one  man,  not  to  mention  the  honor 
and  distinction.  Mr.  Taylor  took  for  his 
subject  "The  Position  of  Hawthorne  in  Amer- 
ican Literature."  The  news  of  Taylor  having 
taken  two  prizes  was  received  with  the  greatest 
enthusiasm.  It  was  a  great  day  for  the  Univer- 
sity, for  Sigma  Chi  and  for  Taylor.  When  he 
returned  a  large  crowd  met  him  at  the  station 
and  gave  him  a  grand  welcome.  The  familiar 
yell, "  Rah,  Rah,  N.  W.  U.— OO— O,  O!"  was  given 
with  an  energy  and  spirit  worthy  of  the  cause. 
On  January  14  the  Omega  chapter  gave  Bro. 
Taylor  an  elaborate  banquet,  and  filled  him  with 
such  evidence  of  good  will  as  would  cheer  his 
heart  and  comfort  his  soul  as  long  as  memory 
lasts. 


170  HISTORY    OF    OMK.GA. 

There  were  no  contestants  in  mathematics  or 
Greek.  A.  W.  McPherson  was  chosen  for  the 
contestant  in  Latin. 

Our  representative  to  the  contest  in  January, 
1878,  was  Conrad  Haney.  He  started  for  New 
York  in  high  glee.  Having  been  the  recipient  of 
a  new  beaver  hat  and  an  extra  brand  of  imported 
cigars,  he  had  his  picture  taken  and  was  sent  on 
his  way  rejoicing.  He  had  a  good  oration  and 
made  a  favorable  impression  on  the  audience. 

Miss  Elizabeth  R.  Hunt,  '77,  was  the  essayist 
and  was  awarded  the  prize,  but  unfortunately  she 
received  only  one  quarter  of  it. 

New  men  of  recent  college  graduation,  with 
little  experience,  had  managed  the  association 
badly.  They  put  forth  large  promises  without 
any  means  of  fulfilling  them.  Prizes  amounting 
to  nearly  $2,000  were  offered,  with  only  $500  in  the 
treasury;  and,  worse  than  all,  no  effort  was  made  to 
•obtain  more.  The  prize-winners  of  '78  received 
•only  25  per  cent,  and  this  was  taken  from  the 
amount  remaining  in  the  treasury  from  the  pre- 
vious year.  This  had  a  very  depressing  effect  on 
the  whole  association,  and  in'79  there  was  a  decided 
lack  of  interest  manifested.  Our  University  that 
year  was  represented  in  the  Oratorical  and  Latin 
departments.  Mr.  W.  H.  Harris,  '78,  was  the 
orator,  and  took  for  his  subject,  "The  Duty  of 
the  American  Scholar  in  Politics."  Bro.  Harris' 


INTERCOLLEGIATE    ASSOCIATION.  171 

effort  was  unexceptionably  well  received.  W.  H. 
Wait,  '79,  contested  for  the  prize  in  Latin.  This 
was  the  last  contest  of  the  association.  The  de- 
plorable action  of  the  managers  alienated  the 
interest  once  felt  toward  the  association  by  New 
York  citizens,  and  the  prodigal  use  of  the  fees 
and  receipts  weakened  the  confidence  originally 
placed  in  it  by  the  colleges.  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  the  failure  of  the  association  was 
brought  about  in  this  manner.  The  object  was 
of  supreme  importance  to  college  men,  and  if 
the  association  could  have  continued  it  would 
have  exerted  a  marked  and  substantial  influence, 
not  alone  on  the  students,  but  on  the  different 
institutions  of  learning  represented  in  it.  A 
plan  was  originated  and  set  forth  in  1879,  in  a 
pamphlet  by  the  trustees  of  the  association,  to 
make  the  prizes  consist  of  scholarships  instead  of 
money.  It  did  not  meet,  'however,  with  any 
encouragement.  In  speaking  of  the  contests 
and  of  the  colleges  represented,  they  paid -our 
University  the  high  compliment  of  being  "that 
courageous,  far-off  University  in  the  Northwest, 
whose  success  in  winning  prizes  in  this  associa- 
tion has  been  marked,  and  is  to  be  praised." 

The  effect  of  these  contests  on  the  North- 
western University  was  very  noticeable.  It  was 
the  means  of  presenting  it  to  the  attention  of 
the  college  world  in  a  light  it  had  never  before  re- 


172  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ceived.  A  university  which  could  send  repre- 
sentatives to  the  contests  and  win  prizes  was 
considered  worthy  of  the  first  rank.  The  success 
of  our  contestants  gained  considerable  reputation 
for  the  University.  In  the  brief  period  of  our 
connection  with  the  association  we  had  taken 
three  essay  prizes,  and  divided  the  honors  for 
mental  science  with  Princeton,  which  is  consid- 
ered among  the  foremost  colleges  in  the  United 
States  in  this  particular  branch  of  learning. 

STATE    ORATORICAL    ASSOCIATION. 

Another  and  very  commendable  society  to 
which  the  students  at  Northwestern  belonged 
was  the  State  College  Oratorical  Association.  It 
was  designed  to  offer  liberal  prizes  for  oratorical 
efforts,  to  be  given  to  contestants  representing 
the  different  colleges  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  A 
meeting  was  held  at  Bloomington,  February 
7,  1874,  and  Northwestern  was  represented  by 
M.  S.  Kaufman,  '74,  and  \V.  L.  Martin,  of  the 
same  class,  as  delegates.  The  colleges  repre- 
sented were  Northwestern  University,  University 
of  Chicago,  Knox  College,  Monmouth  College, 
Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  Illinois  Industrial 
University  and  Shurtleff  College.  Aside  from 
organizing  such  an  association  for  this  state,  it 
was  the  plan  of  the  promoters  of  this  scheme  to 
have  similar  associations  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Mich- 


STATE    ORATORICAL    ASSOCIATION.  173 

igan,  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  This  was  accom- 
plished in  a  short  time.  The  prizes  offered  were 
$75  for  a  first  and  $50  for  the  second  prize,  and 
in  addition  to  this  the  winner  of  the  first  prize 
had  the  honor  of  representing  the  state  at  the 
Inter-State  oratorical  contests. 

The  first  contest  took  place  at  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  November  20,  1874;  J.  F.  Stout,  '75,  was 
the  orator  from  Northwestern  and  was  the  win- 
ner of  the  second  prize.  The  second  contest  was 
at  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  October  28,  1875.  We 
were  represented  by  W.  S.  Mathew  as  the  orator. 
The  third  contest  was  held  at  Evanston,  October 
5,  1876;  Frank  M.  Bristol  was  the  orator.  The 
fourth  contest  was  at  Monmouth,  October  18, 
1877;  George  E.  Ackerman  was  the  orator  from 
Northwestern,  and  he  received  the  second  prize. 
This  was  the  last  contest  in  which  Northwestern 
appeared.  Much  dissatisfaction  arose  from  the 
substitution  of  medals  for  cash  prizes.  Al- 
terations and  changes  were  made  in  the  constitu- 
tion particularly  objectionable  to  our  students. 
It  was  for  these  reasons  that  Northwestern  with- 
drew from  the  association  in  October,  1878. 
Since  then  she  has  made  no  effort  to  enter  the 
association,  although  cash  prizes  were  afterward 
restored. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

BUILDING    A    GYMNASIUM. 

IT  is  not  our  purpose  to  unduly  emphasize  the 
importance  and  influence  of  the  members  of 
Omega.  It  seems  just  and  right,  however,  to 
give  them  the  full  credit,  which  I  believe  has 
never  been  denied  to  them,  for  the  part  they 
have  taken  in  the  affairs  which  have  marked  the 
progress  of  the  University.  It  can  be  truly  said 
that  the  men  of  Omega  have  left  their  individual 
impress  upon  nearly  every  event  of  any  import- 
ance which  has  occurred  during  the  first  fourteen 
years  of  our  history.  There  were  enterprises 
both  new  and  important.  The  men  of  Omega 
were  always  at  the  front  in  maintaining  the  ora- 
torical contests,  lecture  courses,  the  base-ball 
association,  the  boat-club  crews,  in  procuring 
specimens  for  the  museum,  and  in  supplying 
amusements  and  recreation  for  the  students. 
Such  men  as  Collins,  Lunt,  Paul,  Bragdon,  Ham- 
line,  Taylor,  Mathew,  Evans,  Early,  Andrews 
and  Booth  were  the  principal  leaders  in  every 
enterprise  during  these  eventful  years.  They 
gave  a  wonderful  impulse  to  everything  under- 
taken, and  success  was  the  reward  of  their  efforts. 
The  citizens  of  Evanston  and  friends  of  the 


BUILDING    A    GYMNASIUM.  175 

University  are  greatly  indebted  to  these  men  for 
the  many  pleasant  and  enjoyable  entertainments 
which  they  were  instrumental  in  providing. 

One  of  the  most  important  and  noteworthy 
-enterprises  ever  undertaken  by  the  students  of 
Northwestern  University  was  the  construction 
of  a  gymnasium.  The  policy  of  the  University 
was  of  such  a  close  and  stringent  character 
financially  as  to  preclude  the  chances  of  building 
a  gymnasium  for  many  years  to  come.  The 
possibility  of  having  such  a  building  had  been 
discussed  in  the  Tripod  at  different  times,  but  it 
remained  for  Dr.  C.  H.  Fowler,  then  president 
of  the  University,  to  give  the  idea  currency, 
which  he  did  in  many  substantial  ways.  He 
seemed  to  possess  a  wonderful  faculty  of  getting 
other  people  interested,  so  that  they  would  invest 
their  money.  His  success  as  a  debt-lifter  in  his 
denomination  was  notorious,  and  it  was  common 
talk  that  his  election  to  the  presidency  of  the 
University  was  largely  due  to  this  gift,  which  he 
was  expected  to  exercise  in  removing  the  heavy 
debt  then  resting  on  the  institution.  He  could 
get  persons  to  purchase  and  donate  gifts  to  the 
University  where  others  would  fail.  It  was 
through  his  efforts  that  the  class  of  '78  bought 
the  huge  skeleton  of  a  whale  at  an  expense  of 
four  or  five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  placed  in  the 
museum  as  its  gift.  He  tried  to  have  the  class 


176  HISTORY  OF  OMEGA. 

of  '77  buy  it,  but  no  one  but  the  poor  "bibs" 
were  in  favor  of  it.  He  was  as  enthusiastic  over 
this  whale  business  as  a  small  boy  is  over  a  red 
wagon.  He  carried  this  same  enthusiasm  into 
the  building  of  a  gymnasium.  The  students 
were  as  a  rule  poor,  and  could  hardty  expect  to 
do  more  than  pay  their  ordinary  expenses,  but 
he  managed  to  excite  their  hopes  by  telling  them 
that  they  possessed  wonderful  abilities,  and  that 
the  possibilities  of  young  men  were  unlimited,  and 
thus  he  got  them  fully  interested  in  this  scheme. 
The  simple  use  of  the  will,  he  claimed,  was  suffi- 
cient to  accomplish  all  things.  Oneness  of  aim 
was  his  doctrine  in  life,  and  he  carried  it,  body 
and  soul  into  this  enterprise. 

In  the  early  part  of  October,  1875,  a  circular 
letter  was  issued  by  W.  G.  Evans  and  Frank  M. 
Elliot,  setting  forth  the  project  of  building  a 
gymnasium,  and  soliciting  aid  from  the  friends 
and  graduates  of  the  institution.  It  was  decided 
to  organize  under  the  laws  of  the  state  and  to 
issue  shares  of  stock.  A  statement  was  filed  with 
the  Secretary  of  State  October  28,  1875,  and  soon 
after  a  license  was  issued  to  W.  G.  Evans,  F.  M. 
Taylor,  F.  M.  Bristol,  A.  W.  McPherson,  F.  M. 
Elliot,  and  J.  A.  J.  Whipple  as  commissioners. 
The  name  given  was  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity Gymnasium  Association,  and  its  object  was 
to  establish  and  provide  for  the  management  of 


BUILDING    A    GYMNASIUM.  177 

a  gymnasium:  The  capital  stock  was  $4,000, 
with  shares  of  $10  each,  and  its  duration  was  for 
99  years.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  stock- 
holders, November  30,  the  following  directors 
were  elected:  George  Lunt,  Jas.  E.  Deering,  W. 
M.  Booth,  F.  M.  Bristol,  J.  A.  J.  Whipple,  E.  S. 
Monroe  and  G.  W.  Hewett.  There  were  129  sub- 
scribers of  stock.  Fourteen  hundred  dollars 
were  raised  by  the  sale  of  stock,  which  was 
almost  exclusively  taken  by  the  students. 

Work  was  commenced  immediately.  A  site 
was  procured  from  the  University  authorities  in 
the  campus  on  the  lake  shore,  and  a  contract  was 
let  for  the  construction  of  a  building.  Its 
dimensions  were  40x80  feet,  with  brick  basement 
and  frame  superstructure,  which  was  to  be 
veneered  with  brick.  This  was  not  done,  how- 
ever, until  1882.  A  large  part  of  the  money  was 
in  hand,  and  the  students  were  full  of  enthusiasm 
over  this  success.  John  Krantz,  of  '76,  a  genial, 
happy  soul,  said  when  the  project  was  started: 
"Gymnasium  aedificandum  est/'  and  it  did  seem 
as  if  it  had  hardly  been  started  before  it  was  built 
and  ready  for  use. 

On  February  i,  1876,  the  gymnasium  was 
formally  opened.  W.  S.  Mathew  presided.  A 
statement  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  asso- 
ciation was  made  by  F.  M.  Taylor.  Following 
this  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Daniels  delivered  a  very 


178  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

interesting  and  effective  speech,  dedicating  the 
building  as  the  muscle-giving  temple.  There 
was  an  indebtedness  of  $500,  which  was  then 
reduced  to  $200,  and  this  latter  sum  was  paid  in  a 
short  time.  Then  followed  a  very  fine  exhibition 
of  athletic  sports  under  the  leadership  of  Prof. 
Charles  Duplessis. 

No  one  did  more  toward  completing  this  great 
undertaking  than  Fred  M.  Taylor.  He  put  his 
whole  soul  into  it,  and  under  his  vigorous  leader- 
ship the  students  lent  their  hearty  co-operation. 
His  valuable  services  will  always  be  appreciated, 
for  it  was  through  hib  efforts  that  a  large  part  of 
the  money  was  raised. 

Sigma  Chi  did  her  full  share  in  this  work.  If 
the  other  fraternities  had  done  half  as  well,  the 
gymnasium  would  have  been  more  complete. 
An  effort  was  made  to  have  each  secret  society 
donate  some  apparatus.  The  Phi  Kappa  Sigma 
Society  agreed  to  give  a  health-lift,  which  agree- 
ment was  never  kept,  and  Sigma  Chi  a  bowling 
alley.  There  was  no  delay  as  far  as  Sigma  Chi 
was  concerned,  and  forthwith  it  was  put  in.  It 
was  about  the  first  piece  of  apparatus  ready  for 
use,  and  it  has  helped  more  to  stimulate  an 
interest  and  keep  the  gymnasium  running  than 
anything  else  connected  with  it.  It  was  built  in 
the  most  workmanlike  manner,  with  all  the  latest 
improvements.  A  marble  slab  is  now  inserted  in 


BUILDING    A    GYMNASIUM.  179 

the  west  wall,  covered  with  glass  and  surrounded 
by  a  neat  frame,  with  this  inscription: 


1'  X 

THESE  ALLEYS  WERE 

BUILT  AND  DONATED  BY  THE  SIGMA 

CHI  FRATERNITY. 

1876. 


The  general  effect  of  the  gymnasium  was 
good.  It  brought  the  students  together  as  they 
had  never  been  before.  They  had  a  com- 
mon interest  and  ownership  in  it,  and  all  were 
intenj  upon  the  success  of  the  gymnasium.  It 
had  a  very  marked  effect  on  the  general  health 
of  the  students,  and  also  in  the  increased  import- 
ance of  athletic  sports.  Its  popularity  grew  and 
continued  until  '78  and  '79.  The  receipts  were 
small,  and,  as  it  was  run  on  an  economical  basis, 
it  did  not  more  than  pay  the  ordinary  running 
expenses.  The  original  stockholders  now  were 
scattered  all  over  the  country,  and  their  interest 
had  ceased.  The  new  generation  of  students 
did  not  or  could  not  raise  money  to  veneer  the 
building  to  protect  it,  and  repair  the  worn-out 
apparatus.  It  was  necessary  to  do  something 


l8o  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

now  before  all  would  be  lost  or  ruined.  It  was 
finally  decided  to  have  the  University  take  the 
property  and  maintain  it  as  a  gymnasium,  as  it 
ought  to  have  done  from  the  very  beginning. 
On  April  24,  1880,  the  board  of  directors  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  obtain  the  stock  from 
the  students  and  transfer  it  to  the  University 
trustees.  This  transfer  was  to  be  made  upon 
the  condition  that  the  University  should  com- 
plete the  building  and  furnish  it  with  necessary 
working  apparatus,  assume  all  the  liabilities  of 
the  association,  and  to  keep  and  maintain  forever 
the  building  and  apparatus  in  good  repair  for 
gymnasium  purposes  only.  This  committee  was 
composed  of  Geo.  Lunt,  '72,  Geo.  W.  Muir  and 
E.  J.  Lipps,  '80.  The  task  of  getting  the  stock 
certificates  tried  the  patience  and  good  nature  of 
Mr.  Lunt  for  a  long  time.  Through  his  indefati- 
gable efforts  a  majority  of  the  stock  was  secured, 
and  the  transfer  was  finally  made  in  the  spring 
of  1881.  From  the  first  to  the  last,  through  its 
success  and  triumph  in  the  midst  of  its  trials 
and  gradual  disintegration,  Geo.  Lunt  was  ever 
the  constant  friend  of  the  gymnasium.  He  may 
not  have  received  his  reward  as  yet  for  this 
splendid  devotion,  but  his  name  will  go  down  in 
history  as  the  chief  friend  of  and  mourner  for 
the  defunct  Gymnasium  Association. 

Dr.  Joseph  Cummings  was  elected  president  in 


BUILDING    A    GYMNASIUM.  l8l 

July,  1881.  One  of  the  important  things  he  did 
in  1882  was  to  have  the  gymnasium  put  in  order. 
He  induced  the  trustees  to  spend  money  and  ful- 
fill their  agreement  with  the  gymnasium  stock- 
holders for  veneering  the  building,  and  thus  pre- 
serve it  against  the  ravages  of  time.  The  inside 
of  the  building  was  also  finished.  In  this  the 
good  doctor  and  the  students  lent  a  helping 
hand.  They  did  all  the  work  of  casing  the 
inside,  while  the  University  authorities  simply 
furnished  the  lumber  and  nails.  It  was  a  busy 
and  interesting  scene  to  find  student  and  presi- 
dent of  a  great  University  doing  the  common 
work  of  carpenters.  New  apparatus  was  put  in,, 
and  the  gymnasium  is  now  as  complete  and  as 
well  equipped  as  the  most  fastidious  athletic 
student  could  desire.  The  gymnasium  was 
formally  inaugurated  under  its  present  man- 
agement February  20,  1883,  with  a  public  enter- 
tainment, in  which  the  students  and  some 
professional  athletes  participated. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE    BEAR    STORY. 

IT  was  in  November,  a  few  days  after  Thanks- 
giving. The  ground  was  frozen  hard  and  the 
roads  were  very  rough;  here  and  there  were 
small  icy  places.  It  had  rained  a  few  days  before, 
and  then  the  weather  turned  cold  and  froze 
everything  up  tight.  The  wind,  as  it  whistled 
through  the  trees,  broke  the  ice  that  had  formed 
on  them,  and  everywhere  it  was  heard  cracking 
and  falling.  It  was  just  the  night  for  some  deep 
villainy,  although  the  story  we  are  to  relate  con- 
tains no  villain  or  villainy.  The  sky  was  covered 
with  a  heavy  mass  of  clouds  and  portended  a 
severe  storm.  The  moon  at  long  intervals  seemed 
to  burn  its  way  through  the  clouded  vault,  spread 
its  mellow  light  for  a  moment  or  two,  and  then 
disappear. 

Seated  in  a  room  were  three  students.  The 
stove  was  filled  with  blazing  red  coals,  which 
could  be  seen  through  the  isinglass.  On  the 
table  was  a  student  lamp  and  around  it  the  three 
companions  were  seated.  They  were  absorbed 
in  their  work.  One  was  rocking  back  and  forth 
reading  a  novel;  one  was  busy  writing,  getting 
his  report  ready  for  the  weekly  paper,  and  the 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  183 

other  was  studying  Lieber's  Civil  Liberty.  The 
odor  of  tobacco  was  very  perceptible,  two  having 
finished  their  after-supper  pipes,  and  the  other  was 
still  pulling  away  at  his  silver-mounted,  deeply- 
colored  meerschaum.  Presently  there  was  aloud 
rap  on  the  side  door.  "  Come  in  !  "  all  three 
shouted,  in  a  tone  that  might  well  startle  a 
stranger.  The  door  opened,  a  gust  of  the 
Nor'easter  preceded  the  person,  who  walked  in 
slowly,  as  if  uncertain  of  his  reception  at  this 
time  of  night.  He  was  large,  well  proportioned 
and  athletic;  his  coat  was  buttoned  up  tight,  with 
the  collar  rolled  up.  He  had  on  a  black  slouch 
hat,  and  as  he  stood  just  inside  the  door  with  his 
hands  run  into  his  coat  pockets  he  was  not  at 
first  recognized.  "  Why,  hello,  Billy  !  "  Dudley 
shouted,  as  soon  as  he  discovered  his  old  friend; 
"What  in  the  world  is  up  to-night  ?"  Stepping 
forward  and  taking  a  seat  near  the  stove,  Billy  in 
his  modest  way  returned  the  inquir)*-,  "  Boys, 
what  are  you  celebrating?"  Dudley,  acting  as 
spokesman,  replied,  that  Bruiser  was  feeding  his 
courage  on  a  love  story,  while  Mac  was  writing 
up  an  account  of  his  latest  struggle  with 
Bruiser.  "It  was  such  a  good  joke."  said 
Dudley.  "These  two  chums  of  mine  pro- 
vide me  with  any  quantity  of  amusement. 
I  simply  stand  by  and  quietly  nudge  one 
or  the  other,  and  very  soon  they  will  be  in  the 


184  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

midst  of  a  heated  discussion,  or  will  be  wrestling 
with  one  another  to  test  the  superiority  of 
strength.  You  see,  I  am  the  audience,  and  at 
proper  intervals  I  do  the  applauding.  Mac,  here, 
was  all  dressed  up  one  night  with  all  his  fine 
togs  and  was  going  to  make  a  call  or  take  his 
girl  out  to  an  entertainment.  Bruiser,  more 
courageous  than  usual,  put  some  soot  on  Mac's 
face,  and,  without  intending  it,  got  some  of  it  on 
his  rising-sun  shirt  front.  Quick  as  thought 
Mac  had  Bruiser  under  his  arm,  '  in  chancery,'  as 
Baldy  would  say,  and  was  scouring  his  face  with 
the  blacking  brush.  Well,  if  they  did  not  cut  a 
pretty  figure,  I  am  a  goat.  I  thought  I  would 
split  with  laughter.  There  were  daubs  of  black 
on  each  of  their  faces,  a  necktie  missing,  and 
their  collars  just  hung  on  behind.  Then  they  saw 
the  ridiculousness  of  it  all,  and  although  they 
were  blowing  hard  after  the  tussle,  they 
could  not  help  joining  in  the  laugh.  The  joke 
became  somewhat  complicated  when  Mac  discov- 
ered that  he  did  not  have  another  clean  shirt." 
Billy  laughed  heartily,  and  without  further  delay 
he  proceeded  to  business,  for  there  was  business 
that  night  that  would  require  nerve  and  good 
management. 

"You  see,"  commenced  Billy,  "that  bear  has 
not  been  eaten  yet.  The  boys  who  had  charge  of 
him  did  not  take  him  to  the  right  place."  "What 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  185 

bear  are  you  talking  about?  I've  heard  nothing 
about  this,"  interrupted  Mac.  "  Well,  you  beat 
me,"  said  Billy.  "I  didn't  suppose  there  was  a 
college  scrape  six  hours  old  you  did  not  know  all 
about.  The  facts  in  the  case  are  these  :  Last 
Thursday,  being  Thanksgiving,  a  Mr.  Jack 
Piedmon  invited  the  faculty  to  dinner  to  help 
him  eat  a  bear.  It  seems  he  had  a  young  cub 
which  he  had  been  fattening  in  anticipation  of 
this  dinner.  I  think  it  was  Pixney  who  heard  of 
this,  and  he,  with  several  other  students, 
went  down  one  night  to  the  barn  where  the 
bear  was  kept  and  put  it  in  the  cellar  of  the  old 
University  Hall.  The  next  morning  the  bear  was 
to  have  been  killed  and  prepared  for  the  Thanks- 
giving feast.  But  the  butcher,  on  going  to  the 
barn  on  his  mission  of  slaughter,  found  that 
bruin  had  disappeared.  This  was  a  very  sorry 
predicament  for  Mr.  Piedmon,  who  could  do 
nothing  now  but  send  word  to  the  faculty  that, 
owing  to  circumstances  which  he  could  not  con- 
trol, the  dinner  would  be  postponed.  It  appears 
that  most  of  the  members  of  the  faculty  had  re- 
ceived other  invitations  for  dinner  on  that  day; 
but,  having  this  previous  engagement  and  a 
keen  appetite  for  bear,  they  had  refused  them.  It 
was  certainly  a  great  disappointment  to  some  of 
them;  but,  by  going  to  hotels  in  the  city,  they 
managed  to  get  good  dinners.  The  bear  is  now 


l86  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

concealed  in  that  cellar,  and  we  have  a  plan  to 
take  it  over  in  the  big  woods  to-night  and  have  a 
barbecue.  We  are  all  going  to  meet  in  —  room 
on  Orrington  avenue  at  ten  o'clock,  and  then  we 
will  make  the  final  arrangements.  Now,  no  time 
is  to  be  lost.  Will  you  all  go  ?  You  can  bet  on 
a  square  meal,  and  bear  roasted  on  a  stick  over 
the  fire  is  something  fine.  I've  tried  it  in  the 
mountains,  and  it  is  'away  up,'  I  can  tell  you." 

It  did  not  take  long  for  the  three  to  decide  that 
they  could  be  counted  in  on  any  little  game  of 
that  kind.  The  time  was  near  at  hand  to  be  at 
the  rendezvous.  At  the  suggestion  of  Billy,  the 
boys  put  on  their  oldest  clothing.  "I  have  a  big 
knife,"  said  Bruiser.  "Take  it  along,"  replied 
Billy.  "  I  have,"  he  continued,  "  a  blunderbuss 
here  to  blow  out  bruin's  brains  when  we  get  to  a 
place  where  it  can  be  done  without  disturbing 
any  one.  In  matters  of  this  kind  I  dislike  to 
disturb  any  one's  sleep."  The  blunderbuss  was 
exhibited,  and  proved  to  be  a  large  navy  six- 
shooter.  "Why  didn't  you  get  a  gatling-gun 
while  you  were  about  it,  instead  of  taking  this 
toy  affair?"  said  Mac.  "Dudley  has  a  double- 
barrel  shot-gun  under  the  bed,  and  any  quantity 
of  ammunition.  Perhaps  you  would  like  that?" 
"Oh,  no,"  said  Billy,  "this  will  do  the  business," 
and  he  quietly  put  the  revolver  in  his  hip  pocket. 
After  shaking  down  the  coal  in  the  stove  and 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  187 

blowing  out  the  light,  the  four  friends  departed. 
"Don't  be  afraid,  Bruiser,"  said  Dudley.  "  Keep 
near  me.  It's  my  opinion  we  ought  to  divide  up 
and  take  different  directions."  So  Dudley  and 
Bruiser  went  in  one  direction,  and  Billy  and  Mac 
in  another. 

The  room  where  the  boys  met  was  small  and 
on  the  second  floor.  Going  in,  one  was  surprised 
to  find  so  many  of  the  students  interested  in  the 
barbecue.  There  were  half-a-dozen  or  more 
seated  on  the  bed,  some  down  on  the  floor  and  a 
number  were  standing.  In  a  few  moments  all 
the  invited  guests  were  present.  More  or  less 
surprise  was  exhibited  at  the  make-up  of  the 
crowd.  Seeing  a  prominent  theological  student 
on  the  bed,  Dudley  approached  him  and  expressed 
his  surprise  at  seeing  him,  and  said:  "  Bibs  don't 
eat  bear  meat,  do  they?"  "You  just  try  them 
once,"  retorted  the  theologue. 

It  was  decided  that  Pixney  and  Waldrond 
should  go  out  and  see  if  the  bear  was  all  right, 
and  if  he  was,  then  another  committee  should  go 
with  the  wagon  to  a  certain  street  corner,  put  the 
bear  in  the  vehicle  and  then  make  for  the  big 
woods  as  fast  as  possible.  Pixney  and  Waldrond 
went  out  and  made  a  reconnoiter  and  soon  re- 
turned with  the  amazing  report  that  the  bear  had 
disappeared.  This  news  struck  the  whole  com- 
pany with  dismay.  It  certainly  had  not  been 


1 88  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

gone  long,  and  in  order  to  find  him  the  company 
of  sixteen  was  divided  up  into  eight  squads,  each 
to  follow  certain  streets  and  find  out  where  the 
bear  had  been  taken.  This  was  a  new  element  in 
the  case,  and  all  went  out  with  bated  breath  and 
not  a  little  anxious  about  the  result.  The  cou- 
riers had  not  been  out  long  before  they  had 
found  the  bear.  He  was  being  led  back  to  the 
owner's  barn  by  four  big  fat  men,  who  undoubt- 
edly believed  they  were  doing  a  generous  deed, 
and  would  be  invited  to  partake  of  the  fatted 
cub  when  he  should  be  nicely  prepared  for  the 
privileged  epicures.  After  seeing  where  the  bear 
had  been  placed,  the  two  students  who  had  fol- 
lowed the  rescuing  quartette  returned  to  the 
rendezvous  to  report.  The  next  hour  was  spent 
in  getting  word  to  all  the  other  fourteen  students. 
When  the  last  couple  was  safely  behind  the 
latched  door,  the  crowd  listened  with  much  con- 
cern to  the  report  of  those  who  had  witnessed 
the  return  of  the  bear  to  his  manger.  All  con- 
versation had  to  be  carried  on  in  subdued  tones 
in  order  not  to  arouse  suspicion.  It  was  finally 
decided  that  the  bear  must  come  out  of  his  den 
that  night,  and  one  o'clock  was  the  time  set  for 
the  raid.  Four  of  the  pluckiest  men  were  se- 
lected for  this  duty.  The  rest  were  to  be  scat- 
tered and  be  within,  convenient  distance  in  case 
of  need. 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  189 

While  they  were  waiting  in  this  little  room, 
packed  in  so  close  that  they  could  scarcely  move 
without  treading  on  one  another's  toes,  a  hat 
was  passed  over  their  heads  for  a  contribution 
for  cider  and  apples.  When  it  had  gone  the 
rounds  the  amount  was  counted,  and  there  were 
twenty-nine  cents.  "  What  do  you  fellers  mean  ?" 
shouted  Simon,  whose  surname  was  Peter.  "  This 
hain't  a  Methodist  congregation.  Twenty-nine 
cents  wouldn't  buy  enough  cider  for  'Nosey 
Pixney,'  and  he  is  the  smallest  cider  drinker  in 
the  crowd.  Now,  boys,  shell  out !  Bear  won't 
taste  good  anyhow  unless  you  put  in  a  good 
foundation  of  cider  and  apples."  With  this 
characteristic  appeal  the  hat  went  round  again. 
Nearly  every  one  seemed  to  be  "strapped,"  and 
as  the  hat  went  from  one  to  another  such  expres- 
sions were  made  as:  "Busted,"  "Put  on  my 
other  vest  when  I  came  out  to-night."  "Dead 
broke!  haven't  heard  from  home  for  a  month," 
<(  Call  again  when  I'm  flush."  This  time  there 
were  sixty-three  cents  Simon  smiled  as  he 
rattled  the  pennies  into  his  capacious  pocket,  and 
remarked,  "You  are  a  wealthy  set.  You  may 
eat  me  if  you  ever  catch  me  in  such  a  crowd  of 
bloated  bondholders  again."  "Oh,  no,  we 
wouldn't,  Simon,"  shouted  a  voice,  "we  prefer 
bear." 

A  delegation  then  went  out  and  procured  a  jug 


190  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

of  cider,  some  ginger  snaps  and  apples.  There  was 
hardly  enough  for  a  taste,  and  it  seemed  only  to- 
create  an  appetite  for  more  cider  and  more  deviltry. 
"  Boys,  we  must  have  more  cider,"  said  one.  "  I 
have  a  scheme,"  said  another.  "  What  is  it  ?"  cried 
a  third.  "I'll  tell  you.  Leave  in  just  enough 
cider  in  the  jug  to  flavor  the  business;  fill  it  up 
with  water  from  this  pitcher,  and  take  it  back  and 
tell  Mr.  H —  -  his  cider  is  no  good.  Let  him 
judge  for  himself  and  then  demand  your  money 
back."  A  smile  was  visible  on  every  face,  and 
signs  of  approval  were  given  to  this  bold  move 
of  a  thirsty  collegian.  So  the  committee  filled 
the  jug  and  started  out.  The  grocer  thought  it 
very  strange,  tasted  the  cider  and  said,  "being  a 
temperance  man,  I  am  only  posted  on  beer  and 
such  like,  but  it  strikes  me  that  this  cider  is  about 
as  you  say,  'no  good;'"  and  without  making 
further  investigation  he  returned  the  money.  The 
committee  then  went  to  another  store  and  got 
another  jug  of  cider,  and  returned  to  the  little 
room  feeling  very  jubilant  over  its  success. 
"You  are  a  brick,"  and  simultaneously  the  com- 
mittee received  an  affectionate  slap  on  the  back 
from  a  number  of  the  boys. 

They  were  now  all  laughing,  telling  stories  and 
smoking,  when  some  one  looked  at  his  watch,  and 
in  sepulchral  tones  shouted:  "  Boys,  the  dread 
hour  has  come.  It  is  one  o'clock."  Without 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  19! 

further  delay  every  one  quieted  down  and  made 
ready  for  the  next  venture.  The  wind  continued 
to  blow  a  stiff  gale,  and  the  same  cracking  of  the 
ice  was  heard.  The  moon  had  moved  a  number 
of  degrees  to  the  west,  and  its  subdued  light 
was  playing  back  and  forth  between  the  clouds 
like  a  small  child  at  peek-a-boo. 

The  four  who  were  to  get  the  bear  started,  and 
having  given  the  final  directions  to  the  express- 
man, proceeded  directly  to  the  barn  where  young 
bruin  was  kept.  There  was  no  trouble  in  getting 
into  the  barn.  The  bear,  however,  did  not  like 
the  idea  of  taking  a  walk  at  this  time  of 
night.  He  growled  and  snapped  and  rattled 
his  chain  so  furiously  that  there  was  danger  of 
his  arousing  his  owner.  He  was  finally  pacified 
with  some  lumps  of  sugar,  led  into  the  alley  and 
then  taken  down  the  street  toward  the  lake. 
When  they  had  gone  several  blocks  they  met  the 
express  wagon,  and  then  they  proceeded  to  give 
bruin  a  ride.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
in  accomplishing  this,  but  after  numerous  at- 
tempts he  was  finally  landed  in  the  wagon  with 
a  chain  attached  to  his  neck  and  tied  to  the  seat. 
The  wagon  then  started,  closely  followed  by  the 
chosen  escort. 

Everything  went  smoothly  until  they  reached 
a  certain  spot  on  Orrington  avenue,  north  of  the 
Woman's  College.  Here  they  were  to  join  the 


192  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

rest  of  the  party  and  then  proceed  together  to 
the  "  Big  Woods,"  where  the  barbecue  was  to 
take  place.  When  the  wagon  stopped,  the  bear, 
unaccustomed  to  riding,  gave  a  lunge  forward  and 
then  backward.  He  came  back  with  such  force 
that  he  broke  his  chain  and  fell  out  over  the  tail- 
board head  over  heels.  This  stirred  Mr.  Bear  up 
so  much  and  made  him  so  angry,  that  he  made 
for  the  first  man  he  saw  and  would  have  injured 
him  but  for  a  timely  accident.  Pixney  was  the 
man,  and  as  he  started  to  run  he  slipped  on  some 
ice  in  the  middle  of  the  road  and  fell.  At  the 
same  time  he  threw  his  feet  into  the  air  and  this 
so  paralyzed  the  bear  with  fear  that  he  immedi- 
ately started  on  a  run  for  a  tree.  The  time  he 
made  in  running  was  remarkable,  and  the  way  he 
went  up  that  tree  was  a  caution.  There  he  was, 
away  up  in  its  branches.  The  tree  was  just  beside 
a  dwelling-house,  not  ten  feet  away.  What 
was  to  be  done  ?  The  boys  were  in  a  sad  plight, 
if  after  all  that  had  been  accomplished,  the  bear 
was  to  defeat  their  purpose  at  this  stage  of  the 
game.  A  consultation  was  held;  it  took  about 
two  minutes  to  decide.  That  blunderbuss  of 
Billy  was  to  be  brought  into  requisition.  The 
committee  went  to  the  foot  of  the  tree  and  level- 
ing it  at  the  bear  blazed  away.  He  did  not  come 
down,  so  the  committee  fired  again,  and  again — 
five  times;  still  bruin  did  not  budge.  The  firing 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  193 

did  just  what  Was  expected.  It  aroused  the  whole 
neighborhood.  A  window  went  up  and  out 
popped  a  head.  "  Who  are  you  killing?"  shouted 
the  man  in  the  house  near  the  tree.  "  Oh,  no 
one,"  said  Shorty;  "only  some  of  the  college 
boys  firing  some  crackers,  that's  all."  Satisfied 
with  this  answer,  the  man  pulled  his  head  back 
and  shut  the  window. 

In  the  meantime  Billy  ran  to  Dudley's  room 
and  said:  "Give  me  that  shot-gun,  quick!  That 
blasted  bear  is  up  a  tree."  Rushing  into  the 
bedroom,  Bruiser  was  discovered  undressing  him- 
self preparatory  to  going  to  bed.  •'  For  the  love 
of  Fowler,  what  are  you  doing?"  asked  Dudley. 
"Is  Carney  coming?  I — I — I  thought  I'd  go  to 
bed  if  he  was,"  said  Bruiser,  in  a  trembling 
voice.  "  Hades  !  "  thundered  Dudley,  in  a  deep 
base  voice.  "The  best  way  to  get  out  of  Car- 
ney's clutches,  is  to  get  out  of  this  room 
quick."  It  took  some  time,  ages  it  seemed, 
to  get  the  cartridges  loaded.  Everything  outside 
had  now  quieted  down.  Men  were  picketed 
several  blocks  away  to  give  the  warning  if 
policeman  Carney  should  be  coming.  Every 
man  was  ready  to  fly  in  case  of  an  attempted 
chase.  Presently  there  was  a  loud  boom,  then  a 
rustling  in  the  branches,  and  down  came  the  bear 
with  a  heavy  thud.  Without  seeing  if  he  was 
dead  or  alive,  he  was  picked  up  and  thrown  into 


194  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

the  wagon.  The  whole  party  then  literally 
"skipped."  "Where  is  Bruiser?"  asked  Dudley. 
"Didn't  you  see  him,"  replied  Shorty,  "make  for 
the  Light  house  after  that  last  shot?  That  was  a 
corker.  Both  barrels.  Sounded  loud  as  seven 
claps  of  thunder.  Enough  to  scare  any  man  out 
of  his  boots.  Didn't  see  Bruiser  run?  No?  I 
never  saw  a  man  run  so  in  all  my  born  days.  He 
was  actually  half  way  there  inside  of  two  minutes. 
He  made  a  bee-line  for  that  Light-house,  and  was 
going  as  if  the  devil  was  after  him.  Jingo!  what 
a  gait  he  struck.  If  I  hadn't  yelled  at  him  to 
stop  he  would  have  been  at  Waukegan  by  this 
time." 

The  party  was  now  wending  its  way  to  the  big 
woods  west  of  the  village.  It  wras  several  miles,. 
and,  after  getting  down  beyond  the  Ridge,  some 
of  the  boys  thought  they  would  take  a  ride,, 
among  them  "Shorty."  Why  he  was  called 
"Shorty"  I  do  not  know,  for  he  was  the  tallest 
man  in  college.  It  was  probably  for  the  same 
reason  that  "  Bruiser,"  "  Gee  "  and  "  Stuffer  "  re- 
ceived their  names,  simply  because  "  Bruiser  "  was 
quiet  and  demure,  and  "Gee"  and  "Stuffer" 
were  good  eaters  and  well  kept.  A  number  of 
the  boys  were  seated  on  the  edge  of  the  wagon 
box,  and  "Shorty,"  finding  no  other  place  con- 
venient, sat  down  on  the  bear.  They  had  not 
gone  tar  when  the  bear  gave  a  tremendous 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  195 

groan,  probably  his  last  death  gasp.  "  Thunder 
and  mud  !  Boys,  get  out  of  the  way!"  screamed 
Shorty,  as  he  jumped  out  of  the  wagon  and 
vaulted  a  fence,  scared  nearly  out  of  his  wits. 
"  Hold  him  down,  boys/'  he  continued,  somewhat 
indignant  at  this  last  exhibition  of  the  bear,  "till 
I  get  the  gun  and  settle  him."  It  was  soon  dis- 
covered, however,  that  the  animal  was  perfectly 
safe  and  had  breathed  his  last.  Resuming  his  seat, 
Shorty  soon  dropped  into  his  usual  jolly  mood. 
Taking  hold  of  the  bear's  stubby  tail  he  gave  it  a 
vigorous  shake  and  addressed  the  bear  as  follows: 
"Oh,  you  plantigrade  quadruped  !  you  carnivorous 
beast!  you  Ursus  Americanus,  why  did  you  climb 
that  tree,  thinking  you  were  mightier  than  the 
large-brained  disciples  of  Prex.  Fowler  ?  Why 
did  you  scare  the  life  out  of  me,  you  naughty 
thing?  We  shall  have  to  eat  you,  won't  we, 
boys?"  "Yes,  yes,"  chimed  a  number  of  voices. 
"  Do  you  hear  that,  you  bob-tailed  vegetarian  ? 
we  shall  eat  you." 

It  was  bitter  cold.  The  early  morning  air  was 
raw  and  penetrating.  The  first  thing  was  to 
have  a  big  fire  built,  as  soon  as  the  party  had 
gone  far  enough  into  the  woods.  A  blaze  was 
quickly  started,  and  in  a  short  time  the  flames 
were  sending  their  forked  tongues  into  the  dark 
space  above.  The  process  of  skinning  the  bear 
was  simple,  and,  after  quartering  him,  some 


196  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

choice  steaks  were  cut  off.  Then  each  man  took 
a  stick,  sharpened  it,  and,  thrusting  it  through 
the  steak,  held  it  up  to  the  fire.  A  savory  smelt 
soon  began  to  rise.  Some  thoughtful  one  had 
brought  salt  and  pepper,  and  soon  the  boys  were 
smacking  their  lips  in  evident  relish  of  their 
roasted  bear.  Then  a  story  was  told,  and,  after 
a  good  laugh,  some  college  songs  were  sung. 
There  never  was  a  happier  crowd  of  college 
boys.  It  was  four  o'clock  in  the  morning;  but 
what  of  that?  It  was  Saturday;  no  recitations, 
and  all  day  before  them  to  sleep.  Every  one 
must  have  a  relic  of  this  latest  adventure.  So 
the  claws  were  cut  out  and  distributed,  and  then 
several  took  pieces  of  the  skin.  While  all  this 
good  time  was  going  on,  some  one  went  to  see 
how  the  horses  were  getting  along.  To  his  sur- 
prise they  could  not  be  found.  He  came  back 
and  gave  the  alarm.  The  faces  of  the  boys  sud- 
denly, as  if  by  magic,  became  long  and  filled 
with  a  fear  that  they  had  been  watched  and  that 
the  horses  had  been  stolen.  A  thorough  search 
was  instituted,  but  no  horses  were  found.  The 
barbecue  was  ended,  as  far  as  they  were  con- 
cerned. It  was  time  to  go  home.  What  a  long,, 
weary  walk  that  was.  Among  the  many  start- 
ling events  which  were  impressed  on  the  memory 
of  that  night  of  nights,  none  are  more  vivid  than 
the  memory  of  that  walk.  It  will  never  be  for- 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  197 

gotten.  It  was  fully  six  o'clock.  The  light  over 
the  lake  was  beginning  to  appear.  Everything 
was  as  silent  as  a  graveyard  when  those  sixteen 
barbecuers  were  safely  in  their  beds. 

Late  that  day  some  of  the  boys  ventured  out 
to  hear  the  news.  The  news  they  were  expect- 
ing was  not  as  pleasant  as  they  had  anticipated. 
The  owner  of  the  bear,  to  say  the  least,  was 
indignant.  Private  detectives  were  employed  to 
discover  who  had  taken  the  bear.  The  faculty^ 
it  was  understood,  felt  extremely  sensitive  on 
the  subject,  and  would  no  doubt  exercise  a  vig- 
orous discipline  on  anyone  found  connected  with 
the  matter.  All  these  things  came  before  any 
mention  had  been  made  of  the  barbecue,  and 
just  in  time  to  put  the  boys  on  their  guard.  No 
doubt  the  boys  were  thoroughly  frightened. 
The  little  trophies  of  the  bear  were  buried  or 
placed  out  of  sight.  Not  a  word  was  said  be- 
tween these  sixteen  men.  They  hardly  recog- 
nized one  another,  and  not  until  a  long  time  had 
passed  did  they  venture  to  speak  of  it. 

There  was  a  great  mystery,  too,  about  it  all. 
Reports  crept  into  the  papers,  and  some  remark- 
able explanations  were  set  forth  to  explain  how 
the  bear  might  have  escaped  of  his  own  accord. 
The  Davis  street  sewer  was  being  built  at  that 
time,  and  it  was  said  that  the  bear  had  broken 
out  of  the  barn,  and  in  his  perambulations  had 


IQO  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

fallen  into  the  ditch  and  was  lost  in  the  sewer. 
Another  report  was  that  the  bear  had  been  seen 
in  the  cemetery  at  Calvary.  The  bear  had  on  a 
number  of  occasions  really  broken  out  of  the  barn. 
One  evening  one  of  Mr.  Piedmon's  neighbors,  a 
large,  portly  man  who  keeps  a  stable,  was  going 
along  the  street,  and  up  behind  him  came  the 
bear.  Thinking  it  was  a  dog,  he  spoke  patroniz- 
ingly to  it.  The  bear  brushed  up  against  his  legs 
and  gave  a  fierce  growl.  Mr.  Neighbor  jumped 
and  said  something  in  a  very  terrified  and  em- 
phatic manner. 

Probably  no  one  received  as  much  benefit  from 
the  mystery  of  this  bear's  disappearance  as  the 
parents  of  children  who  were  in  the  habit  of  run- 
ning away.  The  simple  statement  that  the  bear 
would  eat  them  up,  or  would  catch  them,  was  suffi- 
cient to  maintain  the  required  discipline  over  the 
children  of  the  household. 

All  these  things  were  very  amusing  to  the  bar- 
becuers,  especially  as  they  were  instrumental  in 
having  these  wild  rumors  set  in  motion.  They 
mystified  the  detectives,  and  caused  them  to  make 
vain  searches  in  other  directions.  An  expressman 
was  arrested  and  brought  before  a  Justice,  but  the 
evidence  was  not  enough  to  convict  him  in  the 
matter,  and  he  was  discharged.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  no  outsiders  ever  knew  what  became  of 
the  bear,  or  who  took  it  away. 


THE    BEAR    STORY.  199 

But  the  disappearance  of  that  team  that  night 
was  for  years  a  mystery  to  those  sixteen  men. 
At  this  late  date,  however,  it  is  partially  explained. 
The  night  the  owner  with  his  friends  recovered 
the  bear,  he  was  summoned  to  the  door  by  a  ring 
of  the  bell.  On  opening  it  he  found  no  one  there, 
but  he  saw  a  piece  of  paper  on  the  steps.  He 
picked  it  up  and  went  into  the  house.  It  read  as 
follows:  "You  will  find  your  bear  in  the  cellar  of 
the  old  University  building."  Acting  on  this 
information,  he  immediately  went  with  his  friends 
and  took  the  bear  to  his  house.  Now,  who  sent 
him  that  note  ?  Evidently  some  one  who  thought 
the  joke  had  gone  far  enough.  There  were  two 
distinct  parties  in  this  bear  escapade.  One  party 
was  satisfied  with  simply  taking  the  bear  and  keep- 
ing it  until  after  Thanksgiving,  and  then  return- 
ing it  to  the  owner.  This  party  informed  the 
owner  where  the  bear  was  kept,  and  it  was 
undoubtedly  this  wing  of  the  bear  party  that  took 
the  horses  and  returned  them,  being  particular  to 
put  them  in  their  owner's  barn.  Everything  was 
returned  except  a  horse  blanket,  but  the  express- 
man was  paid  for  that.  The  other  party  wanted 
the  fun  of  eating  the  bear,  and  with  this  in  view 
invited  a  number  of  friends  to  join  them.  This 
was  done  with  the  result  as  already  related. 

This  college  experience  is  regarded  by  the  stu- 
dents of  N.  W.  U.  as  one  of  the  most  exciting 


200  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

and  thrilling  adventures  in  all  the  annals  of  the 
University.  In  later  years  it  has  been  told  a  great 
many  times,  and  many  improbable  incidents  have 
been  added  to  it.  The  account  as  here  given  is 
believed  to  be  trustworthy.  We  are  confident, 
however,  that  a  great  many  interesting  details  of 
it  yet  remain  unwritten,  and  we  hope  at  some 
future  day  some  one  of  the  participants  in  it  will 
do  the  subject  full  justice. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE    CONVENTIONS    OF    SIGMA    CHI. 

First  Biennial  Convention,  June  28,  1857,  at  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Second  Biennial  Convention,  April  17-18,  1861, 
at  Wheeling.  W.  Va. 

Third  Biennial  Convention,  July  6,  1864,  St. 
Charles  Hotel,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Fourth  Biennial  Convention,  April  n,  1865,  Bur- 
net  House,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Fifth  Biennial  Convention,  December  27,  1865, 
St.  Charles  Hotel,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Sixth  Biennial  Convention,  December  27-28, 
1866,  Law  Buildings,  Columbian  University, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Seventh  Biennial  Convention,  December  31,  1868, 
and  January  i,  1869,  Odd  Fellows  Hall,  Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

Eighth  Biennial  Convention,  December  28-29, 
1870,  Upsilon  Chapter  Hall,  Philadelphia,  Pa.; 
J.  Frank  Robinson,  Omega  delegate. 

Ninth  Biennial  Convention,  December  26-27, 
18}  2,  Neil  House,  Columbus,  O. 

Tenth  Biennial  Convention,  October  21,  22,  23, 
1874,  Exchange  Hotel,  Richmond,  Va. ;  Daniel 
C.  Riehl,  Omega  delegate. 


202  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

Eleventh    Biennial    Convention,  October  u,  12, 

13,    1876,    Theater   of  the    Amateur    Drawing 

Rooms,  on    Seventeenth    street,    Philadelphia; 

Frank  E.  Knappen,  Omega  delegate. 
Twelfth  Biennial  Convention,  November  19,  20, 

21,  1878,  Knights  of  Pythias  Hall,  Indianapolis, 

Ind.;  Edward  L.  Stewart,  Omega  delegate. 
Thirteenth  Biennial  Convention,    November  16, 

17,  18,  1880,  National  Hotel,  Washington,  D.  C.; 

R.  V.  DeGroff,  Omega  delegate. 
Fourteenth  Biennial  Convention,  November  7,  8, 

9,    1882,    Grand    Pacific    Hotel,   Chicago,    111.; 

George  P.  Merrick,  Omega  delegate. 
Fifteenth  Biennial  Convention,  August  27,  28,  29, 

1884,  Burnet  House,  Cincinnati,  O.;  Charles  S. 

Slichter,  Omega  delegate. 

At  the  third  and  fourth  conventions  there  was 
no  quorum,  the  former  being  attended  exclu- 
sively by  the  Pennsylvania  chapters  and  the  lat- 
ter only  by  delegates  from  Alpha,  Xi,  Rho  and 
Lambda.  There  was  no  convention  in  1859.  No 
delegate  was  present  from  Omega  at  the  ninth 
convention. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

SIGMA  CHI   SENTIMENTS. 

"YE  brethren  of  the  old  Hellenic  tie, 
The  fair  fraternity  of  Sigma  Chi; 
What  though  your  temple,  gentle  sons  of  peace, 
Rears  not  its  altars  'mid  the  groves  of  Greece." 

W.  W.  FOSDICK, 

Lambda,  1861. 

From  an  address  delivered  before  the  Thirteenth  Biennial 
Convention  of  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity  at  Washington, 
D.  C  ,  November  18,  1880. 

You  are  gathered  here  from  all  part'o  of  the 
country — each  one  identified  with  some  institution 
of  learning  in  the  land, — the  prejudices  of  no  sec- 
tion, however  bitter,  affect  the  catholic  spirit  of 
your  order.  It  blooms  with  as  much  fragrance 
amid  the  cold  winds  of  the  North  as  it  does 
under  the  warm  rays  of  a  Southern  sun.'  But 
stronger  even  than  this  tie  is  the  bond  that  unites 
you  as  co -laborers  in  the  same  harvest  field.  You 
are  gathering,  it  is  true,  in  different  parts  of  the 
field,  but  in  the  same  field  you  are  gathering  the 
same  harvest,  and  binding  and  storing  the  full, 
rich  sheaves  of  learning  and  knowledge. 

You   are   bound    together   by   the    same   sym- 


204  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

pathies  of  a  common  service,  and  soon,  very 
soon,  when  the  fullness  of  your  preparation  is 
come,  and  the  master  dismisses  you  with  your 
Alma  Mater's  blessing,  amid  the  tumult  and  the 
dazzle  of  the  busy  world,  when  the  stern  realities 
of  life  confront  you,  when  the  curtain  is  with- 
drawn and  you  are  introduced  on  the  great  stage 
of  the  every-day,  practical  working  world,  with 
throbbing  pulse,  with  apprehensions  and  mis- 
givings, it  may  be,  yet  inspired  with  the  buoy- 
ancy and  confidence  of  youthful  enthusiasm, 
each  one  will  be  found  asking  himself  the  same 
pregnant  question  :  "What  part  am  I  to  play  in 
the  drama  of  life  on  this  great  stage?" 

LINDKX   KKNT, 

Psi. 


To  the  world  outside  societies  like  ours  mean 
but  little;  but  to  us  who  realize  their  benefits, 
who  have  enjoyed  their  pleasures,  who  associate 
them  with  everything  that  was  agreeable  in  our 
college  life,  and  who  in  them  have  found  friend- 
ships that  will  last  with  life,  they  mean  a  great 
deal.  We  are  Greeks,  and  we  know  how  to  ap- 
preciate them. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  high  standing  of 
your  society,  and  upon  the  bright  prospect  before 
it  in  the  future.  I  feel  the  highest  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  in  being  one  of  its  founders;  and  I 


SIGMA    CHI    SENTIMENTS.  205 

regard  every  member  of  it  with  sentiments  of 
the  warmest  and  most  sincere  friendship;  and  I 
trust  the  chain  which  unites  us  may  never  be 
broken.  HON.  I.  M.  JORDAN, 

OM  Alpha,  /cfj/. 

From    an  address   delivered    before    the    Fourteenth    Bien- 
nial Convention,  at  Chicago,  Nov.  9,  1882. 

Many  years  have  placed  themselves  between 
my  acquaintance  with  the  active  life  of  the  fra- 
ternity and  the  present  time — many  years  of 
busy  activities  and  the  realities  of  life,  until  its 
formalities  and  its  ritual  had  almost  disappeared 
from  my  mind.  But  this  occasion  recalls  many 
a  pleasant  memory  of  my  college  days,  and  what 
I  regard  as  the  most  pleasant  of  my  recollec- 
tions, when  with  ceaseless  watch  and  toil  we 
sought  to  found  the  structure  of  our  future  lives, 
when  we  enlivened  with  kindly  mirth  and  fra- 
ternal communication  the  labors  of  our  college 
days.  These  pleasing  memories,  as  I  meet  you 
again  in  conclave  here  to-night,  come  back  to  me 
on  wings  of  thought. 
****** 

Let  the  principles  of  this  fraternity  be  the 
cultivation  of  the  social  side  of  man's  nature  as 
well  as  his  intellect,  to  teach  him  to  measure 
himself  and  his  fellow-men,  so  that  by  contact 
with  those  above  him  he  may  inquire  into  the 


206  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

most  secret  springs  which  move  human  action. 
Thus  may  he  develop  his  character  and  make 
his  education  truly  and  properly  complete.  Let 
it  be  known  that  it  is  a  principle  of  this  organi- 
zation to  cultivate  the  social  graces,  to  stamp 
out  the  social  vices.  Let  it  be  understood  that, 
while  we  are  looking  forward  to  the  training  of 
the  mental  powers,  while  the  cultivation  of  the 
intellect  is  a  main  purpose  of  Sigma  Chi,  the 
higher  qualities  of  general  culture  and  polish  are 
of  equal  importance.  One  may  have  passed  with 
honor  through  college  halls,  and  yet  be  poorly 
equipped  for  the  battle  of  life.  The  world  cares 
little  for  standing  in  classes.  Your  success  will 
be  measured  by  your  ability  to  estimate  and  gauge 
humanity;  and  you  can  only  be  skillful  in  your 
judgment  of  men  by  close  communication  and 
affiliation  with  men.  Let  these  emblems  of  our 
fraternity,  therefore,  stand  for  these  principles  of 
culture  and  education,  and  hostility  to  us  as  an 
organization  will  cease.  .  .  .  Let  the  emblem 
of  the  White  Cross  of  Sigma  Chi  be  an  emblem 
of  our  purity  and  devotion  to  the  principles  of 
honor  and  manhood,  of  unwavering  devotion  to 
humanity.  Let  it  be  your  emblem,  not  only  in 
college,  but  as  you  go  out  into  the  world  let  it 
be  a  decoration  indicating  that  you  have  been 
tried  in  your  early  manhood  by  your  fellow-men, 
and  found  true  in  your  friendships  anJ  devotion 


SIGMA    CHI    SENTIMENTS.  207 

to  principle.  In  after  life  you  will  find  many 
occasions  in  which  this  training  of  the  fraternity 
may  be  of  use  to  you. 

GOVERNOR  JOHN  M.  HAMILTON, 

Alpha,  1868. 

The  present  tendency  of  the  Greek  world  is 
toward  concentration  and  centralization.  Your 
Greek  Press  Association,  your  Pan-Hellenic 
•councils,  and  the  tone  and  spirit  of  frater- 
nity journalism, — all  declare,  in  language  unmis- 
takable, that  the  day  of  the  loose  confeder- 
ation of  heterogeneous  chapters  has  passed  away 
forever.  The  fraternity  of  the  future  is  to  be  a 
federation  of  harmonious  parts,  each  working  for 
the  interest  of  the  whole.  The  progress  which  is 
visible  in  nearly  every  phase  of  fraternity  life  and 
work  is  progress  upon  lines  which  converge 
toward  each  other  and  meet  in  a  universal  pro- 
gress toward  centralization.  The  day  is  coming 
when,  more  than  ever  before,  the  several  chapters 
of  every  Greek  order  will  stand  or  fall  upon  the 
merits  of  the  entire  fraternity. 

WALTER  L.  FISHER, 

Chi,  1883. 

Of  all  the  secret  societies  I  have  known,  none 
offer  more  attractions  or  advantages  than  ours  to 
young  men.  Its  aims  and  purposes  are  lofty  and 


208  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

honorable  in  ail  particulars.  It  ought  to  succeed; 
it  has  succeeded  and  it  will  succeed.  If  friend- 
ship among  young  men  at  college  is  of  any  value, 
if  the  companionship  of  the  good  and  the  gifted 
should  be  cultivated,  if  sympathy  and  assistance 
in  the  performance  of  duty  are  of  any  advan- 
tage, then,  indeed,  our  society  was  not  founded 
in  vain,  and  it  will  grow  and  prosper,  and  the 
name  of  Sigma  Chi  will  be  everywhere  a  pass- 
port of  honor  and  respectability. 

HON.  ISAAC  M.  JORDAN, 

Old  Alpha, 


No  person  should  be  admitted  to  membership 
who  cannot  promote  the  general  welfare  of  the 
fraternity  by  bringing  with  him  a  clean  charac- 
ter, lofty  aims,  and  his  due  share  of  mental  and 
moral  stamina.  And  last,  but  not  least,  he  should 
be  a  man  who  possesses  the  sterling  quality  of 
good  fellowship  —  who  can  be  a  true  companion 
to  his  associates,  who  can  at  all  times  rise  out  of 
self  and  think  and  feel  for  others.  Made  up  of 
such  material,  a  fraternity  cannot  be  otherwise 
than  a  constant  source  of  benefit  and  pleasure  to 
those  who  form  it.  EDWIN  L.  SHUMAN, 

Omega,  1887. 

I  have  been  requested  to  say  something  touch- 
ing the  influence  of  Greek  Letter  Societies  upon 


SIGMA    CHI    SENTIMENTS.  209 

students  and  student  life.  Little  need  be  said; 
every  sensible,  practical  man  knows  that  social 
and  literary  clubs  are  as  necessary  to  the  student 
as  tea  parties  to  old  maids,  or  whist  clubs  to  old 
bachelors.  "  Man  cannot  live  by  bread  alone," 
and  no  more  can  the  live  American  student  exist 
on  a  diet  of  Greek  and  Latin  roots,  spiced  with 
diabolical  mathematical  conundrums  and  washed 
down  with  solemn  moral  homilies.  In  these  soci- 
eties literary  exercises  go  hand  in  hand  with 
social  recreation.  The  influence  of  these  associ- 
ations cannot  be  other  than  healthful  and  bene- 
ficial. The  friendship  formed  in  these  fraterni- 
ties, when  men's  hearts  are  pure  and  unselfish, 
endures  through  life,  and  the  hours  passed  in 
these  halls  are  the  most  fondly  cherished  memo- 
ries of  our  college  days.  As  long  as  the  Ameri- 
can student  exists  these  fraternities  will  flourish, 
and  those  who  make  war  upon  them  should 
remember  that  persecution  is  a  wonderful  stimu- 
lant to  rapid  growth. 

COL.  BEX.  P.  RUNKLE,  U.  S.  A., 

Old  Alpha,  1857. 

I  regard  secret  societies,  such  as  ours,  the  law- 
ful and  natural  outgrowth  of  college  life.  Such 
societies  have  existed  in  most  of  our  American 
colleges  from  a  very  early  day,  and  they  will  con- 
tinue to  exist  as  long  as  the  institutions  where 


210  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

they  are  situated.  They  do  not  exist  by  mere 
sufferance,  but  by  right.  They  can  be  defended 
as  well  in  the  forum  of  law  as  of  justice. 

HON.  ISAAC  M.  JORDAN, 

Old  Alpha,  1857. 

T  HEN    AS    NOW GLEANINGS    FROM  SOME   OLD     LET- 
TERS. 

"We  received  a  letter  yesterday  from  Nash- 
ville. There  is  a  branch  of  the  J  K  E  there  and 
the  petitioners  wish  to  start  an  opposition.  We 
have  given  them  the  necessary  instructions,  so 
our  cause  prospers." 

"  We  have  adopted  A  as  the  name  of  our  chap- 
ter, and  as  you  do  not  wish  to  be  called  //,  yours 
will  beT."— J.  Parks  Caldwell,  A,  to  Charles  Rey- 
nolds, of  O.  W.  U.,  May  3,  1856. 

"  Hon.  G.  A.  Parker  accepts  membership  and 
writes  us  a  very  fine  letter.  He  expects  to  be 
with  us  next  summer,  and  says  it  will  give  him 
great  pleasure  to  meet  us.  Eev.  Mr.  Richardson, 
of  Hamilton,  has  received  the  vote  of  this  chap- 
ter for  honorary  membership,  with  the  expecta- 
tion that  he  will  act  as  chaplain  at  our  conven- 
tion." 

"  Our  chapter  is  in  a  most  flourishing  condi- 
tion. We  have  twelve  members:  five  seniors, 
three  juniors,  one  sophomore  and  three  freshmen. 
The  J  A  E's,  the  objects  of  our  eternal  hostility. 


GLEANINGS    FROM    OLD    LETTERS.  211 

have  dwindled  down  to  one  wretched,  solitary 
member.  The  $  A  9's  number  four  seniors  and 
one  freshmen.  The  A  J  $'s  have  internal  com- 
motions and  "cuss"  each  other  like  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Pandemonium,  notwithstanding  their 
members  in  the  faculty  and  their  consequent  high 
grades.  The  Ji  9  //'s  are  very  friendly  and  have 
some  splendid  fellows.  The  K  </*'s  are  too  con- 
temptible to  mention.  Among  all  these  the  cross 
is  honored.  '  Esto  perpetui.' 

"We  expect  to  hold  our  convention  on  the 
i8th  and  ipth  of  June  next.  What  can  your 
chapter  do  for  us  financially  in  the  coming  con- 
vention ?  Our  fellows  are  all  well  known  here — 
Ben  tells  me  to  say  especially  to  creditors — and 
we  expect  our  lions  to  come  from  our  other 
chapters.  We  expect  to  give  $125  at  least." — T. 
C.  Bell,  ^,  to  Charles  Reynolds,  P,  January  26. 

1857- 

"  We  also  have  the  gratifying  news  of  an  organ- 
ization at  the  University  of  North  Carolina, 
which  will  petition  shortly." — Frank  H.  Scobey, 
/J,  to  B.  F.  Barger,  T,  February  14,  1858. 

"The  place  selected  could  not  have  been  more 
happily  chosen.  In  the  soil  of  the  old  Dominion 
let  the  true-souled  sons  of  the  North  and  South 
meet  together.  Let  us  lay  aside  party  spirit  and 
sectional  prejudice,  and,  taking  our  Southern 
brethren  by  the  hand  with  the  magic  grip,  let 


212  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

us  use  our  influence  to  bring  them  back  to  the 
glorious  old  Union,  to  bring  them  again  under 
the  shadows  of  that  time-honored  banner  that 
has  been  our  common  pride  and  protection.  Let 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  float  over  the  assembled 
convention,  and  the  old  national  airs  stir  up  the 
patriotic  souls  of  Sigmas.  By  the  soul  of  Wash- 
ington, gentlemen,  I  will  be  with  you.  This  is  a 
slender  thread,  but  all  the  Abolitionists  and 
Disunionists  out  of  hell  cannot  sever  it." — Let- 
ter of  March  22,  1861,  of  Benj.  F.  Runkle  to- 
Frank  Baker,  71,  accepting  invitation  to  be  present 
at  the  Wheeling  Convention. 


LOUISVILLE,  February  18,   1861. 

My  Dear  Sirs, — I  desire  to  express  my  thanks 
for  the  honor  your  society  has  conferred  by  cre- 
ating me  an  honorary  member,  and  also  by 
appointing  me  its  poet  for  the  convention  at 
Wheeling. 

But  I  shall  be  obliged  to  decline  the  appoint- 
ment of  poet,  for  my  duties  at  home,  editorial 
and  otherwise,  and  my  health  will  make  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  accept  the  honor  and  fulfill  its 
office. 

With  many  assurances  of  my  kindest  regard, 
I  remain  very  truly, 

GEO.  D.  PRENTICE. 
To  MESSRS.  F.  J.  FITZWILLIAM,  JAS.  W.  NEWMAN. 


GLEANINGS  FROM  OLD  LETTERS.      213 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  April  5,  1861. 
My  Dear  Sir, — You  must  forgive  me  for  the 
apparent  sentimentality  of  writing  with  my 
heart's  blood.  If  you  were  a  young  lady  whose 
name  begins  with  an  anonymous  letter  of  the 
alphabet,  it  would  doubtless  be  very  appropriate. 
But  the  red  ink  happened  to  be  nearer  my  pen. 
You  may  expect  me  to  be  present  at  the  Wheel- 
ing occasion.  If  I  am  not  there  you  may  con- 
sider it  providential — in  whatever  sense  you 
please.  I  shall  make  my  best  endeavor,  however. 
Please  let  me  know  where  I  may  find  you  on 
arriving  at  Wheeling.  I  shall  probably  get  there 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  ryth. 

Very  truly  your  friend, 

JOHN  J.  PIATT. 
To  JAMES  W.  NEWMAN,  ESQ. 


"  Seven  men  again!  We  began  with  seven — 
your  petition  with  seven — our  brothers  of  Nash- 
ville sent  the  same  number  of  names  attached 
to  their  petition,  and  here  we  have  the  magic 
number  again  presented  to  us." — Frank  H.  Scobey 
A,  to  M.  B.  Clayson,  T,  in  a  letter  of  May  20,  1857, 
conveying  the  petition  from  the  University  of 
Mississippi. 

"  Below  I  give  you  a  copy  of  the  petition 
received  from  the  students  of  Erskine  College, 
South  Carolina.  Some  of  the  petitioners  are  per- 


214  HISTORY    OF    OMF.rA. 

sonally  known  to  our  members,  who  highly  recom- 
mend them.  The  college  is  one  of  very  good 
standing,  having  about  200  students." — Thos.  E. 
Tucker,  H,  to  Jas.  W.  Newman,  F,  January  13, 1859. 

"  Our  prospects  are  now  quite  flattering,  indeed. 
We  are  twenty-nine  in  number." — W.  J.  Dennis, 
/7,  to  Jas.  W.  Newman  F,  May  7,  1860. 

"  I  will  explain  why  (in  my  opinion)  you  think 
there  is  some  lingering  distrust  in  the  minds  of 
some  of  our  Southern  brethren.  When  this  college 
was  first  opened  after  the  war,  we  who  came  here 
were  all  strangers  to  each  other,  and  knew  nothing 
of  I  X,  J  K  E,  J  '/',  .T  A  E.  There  were  no  Sigma 
Chis  here  then.  Brother  H.  C.  Myers  and  I  were 
acquainted  with  some  old  Sigma  Chis  and  wrote 
to  them  for  a  constitution.  They  exerted  them- 
selves and  procured  a  copy  of  the  constitution  of 
the  chapter,  formerly  at  Lagrange,  Tennessee, 
before  the  war,  which  they  sent  us.  We  tried  to 
get  them  to  come  and  reorganize  us,  but  they 
could  not.  We  set  to  work,  however,  and  reor- 
ganized the  chapter  with  no  other  aid  than  the 
constitution.  This  did  not  help  us  much.  It  was 
some  time  before  we  were  able  to  keep  our  heads 
clear  of  the  water,  but  Providence  crowned  our 
efforts  with  success,  and  it  will  not  be  long  before 
we  are  first  in  this  college.  You  see  we  were 
unacquainted  with  the  minutiae  of  writing  letters 
to  the  different  chapters.  The  constitution  said 


GLEANINGS  FROM  OLD  LETTERS.       215 

we  should  have  all  our  correspondence  stamped 
with  the  secret  motto.  Well,  here  was  another 
trouble  to  us.  We  had  no  stamp,  and  the  letters 
of  the  motto  did  not  tally  with  those  of  the  alpha- 
bet, but  we  finally  made  it  out.  We  did  not 
express  ourselves  as  freely  in  our  first  letter  as  we 
desired,  because  we  were  apprehensive  that  we 
would  not  be  welcomed  into  the  bonds  of  the  fra- 
ternity, but  I  am  now  happy  to  state  that  all  such 
apprehensions  are  allayed  by  the  letters  received 
from  our  sister  chapters  of  the  North." — Letter 
of  June  2,  1866,  from  Wallace  Wood,  H,  to  Harry 
Ufford,  T. 


MEMENTO  MORI. 

The  swift  years  roll  on,  my  brothers; 

Let  us  clasp  each  other's  hand; 
Let  us  do  our  work  together, 

While  we  still  are  all  one  band. 

Some  beside  the  way  have  fallen; 

Sadly  think  we  of  the  dead; 
But  the  stronger  let  us  labor 

Each  with  heart  and  hand  and  head. 

Let  the  thought  of  them  inspire  us 
To  do  what  they  would  have  done, 

That  no  task  may  be  unfinished 
At  the  setting  of  our  sun. 

A  S.  E. 


216 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

M.C'ROLOGY. 
I. 

EVARTS   GREENE    BOUTELL. 

DIED  MAY  21,   1870. 

Aged  ij  years,  7  months  and  j  days. 

The  first  sorrow  that  comes  to  a  united  house- 
hold seems  always  the  hardest  to  bear;  the  first 
death  the  greatest  calamity.  Omega  had  been 
in  existence  scarcely  a  year  when  the  grim  Angel 
of  Death  suddenly  appeared  and  took  from  her 
one  of  the  most  promising  and  devoted  of  her 
members.  For  the  first  time  in  her  history 
death  invaded  her  circle  of  chosen  friends.  The 
blow,  which  fell  with  unexpected  violence,  was 
not  only  severely  impressed  upon  her  members, 
but  was  received  with  evidences  of  profound 
grief  throughout  the  whole  community.  It  is  of 
slight  importance  whether  a  child  or  a  patriarch 
dies,  but  that  a  life  should  be  suddenly  extin- 
guished is  a  matter  that  should  fill  us  with  deep 
meditation  and  receive  our  careful  consideration. 

The  deaths  which  have  come  to  our  chapter 
have  fallen  on  young  men;  those  who  were  just 
beginning  to  give  evidences  of  the  greatness  that 


2l8  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

was  in  them.  The  aspiring  minds  and  noble 
souls  of  these  men  were  suddenly  cut  off  from 
the  great  life-current  of  earth,  and  their  careers 
ceased.  We  do  not  think  of  them  as'  dead,  but 
as  living,  enshrouded  by  the  spirit  of  love  and 
peace.  We  prefer  to  think  of  them  as.  the  North- 
men do  of  their  dead  friends.  Their  "image 
of  death  is  finer  than  that  of  other  climes;  no 
skeleton,  but  a  gigantic  figure  that  envelops  men 
with  the  massive  folds  of  its  dark  garment." 
The  dark  robe  is  drawn  around  our  departed 
brothers  and  they  are  lost  to  our  view. 

Evarts  Greene  Boutell  was  born  at  Westbor- 
ough,  Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  October 
16,  1854.  His  father,  Mr.  Lewis  H.  Boutell,  is 
one  of  the  recognized  leaders  of  the  Chicago 
bar.  Evarts  had  two  brothers  and  one  sister. 
Henry  S.  Boutell  was  younger,  but  was  his  con- 
stant companion  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
Probably  no  two  brothers  were  ever  more  de- 
voted to  one  another  than  Evarts  and  Harry. 
They  pursued  their  work  together,  and  in  their 
joy  and  play  their  mirth  was  mingled  with  a  deep 
brotherly  love.  They  enjoyed  the  superior  ad- 
vantages of  a  correct  and  intellectual  environ- 
ment. Their  parents  possessed  strong  intellectual 
faculties  and  their  home  was  one  of  progressive 
thought  and  refinement.  The  early  boyhood  of 
Evarts  was  passed  in  Massachusetts,  where  he 


XFCROl.OOY.  219 

was  under  the  influence  of  an  atmosphere 
charged  with  the  ripest  scholarship.  If  he  had 
been  a  dull  boy  he  would  have  felt  the  influence 
for  good  by  these  surroundings.  But  he  inherited 
strong  intellectual  traits.  He  had  a  clear  head 
and  could  grasp  an  idea  and  see  it  in  all  its  varied 
shades  of  meaning.  It  seemed  the  simplest  thing 
in  the  world  for  him  to  learn.  No  effort  was  re- 
quired apparently  for  him  to  master  a  subject  or 
a  study.  For  one  so  young  this  brilliancy  of  in- 
tellectual grasp  was  remarkable.  In  1865  Major 
Boutell  sent  his  family  to  Evanston,  where  he 
soon  followed  after  his  discharge  from  the  army. 
In  1867  Evarts  entered  the  Preparatory  depart- 
ment of  Northwestern  University.  He  com- 
menced the  classical  course,  but  his  aptitude  for 
scientific  researches  led  him  to  give  as  much  at- 
tention to  science  as  to  the  classics.  This  combi- 
nation so  largely  developed  in  his  mind  was 
extraordinary.  In  the  classics  he  was  at  the  head 
of  his  class,  and  no  one  excelled  him  in  the  study 
of  the  sciences.  He  had  a  great  love  for  nature. 
He  thoroughly  explored  all  this  part  of  the 
country,  and  in  all  his  excursions  his  brother 
Harry  was  with  him.  In  the  fields  or  in  the  labo- 
ratory they  were  together.  They  made  extensive 
collections,  especially  of  insects.  They  were  en- 
thusiastic and  worked  with  scientific  accuracy, 
and  all  their  work  was  done  in  good  taste.  They 


220  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

did  a  great  deal  for  the  museum  of  the  University. 
The  whole  collection  of  insects  was  arranged 
and  labeled  by  them,  and  they  added  to  it  from 
their  own  a  large  number  of  species,  especially 
of  Lepidoptera.  The  work  st'.ll  remains  much 
as  they  left  it.  One  of  the  professors,  in  speaking 
of  Evarts,  says:  "He  was  naturally  a  leader;  he 
had  great  pleasure  in  all  intellectual  as  well  as 
physical  activities,  and  he  was  enthusiastic  in  the 
attainment  of  his  ends.  Still  he  was  quiet  and 
kindly.  To  all  appearances  the  sad  accident 
which  terminated  his  life  blotted  out  a  brilliant 
future." 

It  was  soon  after  Omega  was  established  that 
Evarts  Boutell  was  initiated  into  the  Sigma 
Chi  Fraternity.  He  was  greatly  esteemed  and 
loved  by  all  the  members.  The  bond  was  recip- 
rocal. Evarts  was  as  enthusiastic  over  Sigma  Chi, 
as  he  was  over  everything  else  that  he  loved  and 
admired.  He  was  quite  intimate  with  Brother 
Fenemore  E.  Hancock,  who  was  the  next  one  to 
leave  the  chapter  by  death,  and  join  his  brother 
Sigma  Chi  in  eternity.  In  the  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  Philomathean  Society,  commem- 
orating the  death  of  Brother  Boutell,  the  fol- 
lowing appears  to  have  been  written  by  Brother 
Hancock:  "That  we  cherish  his  worthy  example, 
and,  realizing  more  fully  the  uncertainties  of  life, 
we  dedicate  ourselves  anew  to  the  life-work  be- 


NECROLOGY.  221 

fore  us,  and,  bowing  in  submission  to  Heaven's 
will,  we  strive  to  emulate  his  examples." 

The  story  of  Brother  Boutell's  death  is  brief 
and  sad.  While  on  one  of  those  pleasure  excur- 
sions which  he  frequently  made,  in  company 
with  his  brother  Harry  and  a  friend  by  the  name 
of  Arnold,  he  went  hunting  south  of  the  village 
near  Calvary.  In  the  course  of  their  walk  they 
came  to  the  lake,  and  securing  a  boat  went  out 
for  a  short  ride.  When  they  returned  and  were 
landing,  as  their  gun  was  being  lifted  from  the 
boat,  it  was  discharged,  and  the  whole  shot  en- 
tered Evarts'  mouth  and  lodged  in  his  brain, 
causing  instant  death.  Expressions  of  praise 
for  the  departed  and  of  sympathy  for  the  family 
were  universal.  This  tragic  ending  of  one  so 
gifted  by  nature  and  so  highly  esteemed  and 
loved  by  all  who  knew  him,  was  peculiarly  sad 
and  caused  a  pang  in  many  hearts.  His  funeral 
took  place  May  23,  1870.  Rev.  E.  N.  Packard 
made  the  funeral  address,  from  which  a  few 
passages  are  selected.  "The  life  so  suddenly 
snapped  off  here,  beginning  only  fifteen  years 
ago  last  October,  leaves  but  a  short  simple  record 
for  words,  deep  as  that  record  may  be  in  our 
hearts.  Yet  few  longer  lives  can  sum  up  better. 
Young  as  Evarts  was,  he  had  acquired  a  char- 
acter, marked  clearly  and  well,  and  established 
on  firm  foundations.  He  had  gained  in  this 


222  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

community,  as  you  will  all  bear  me  witness, 
what  Solomon  calls  better  than  great  riches — a 
good  name.  Lads  are  hardly  aware  how  early 
the  eye  of  the  public  is  upon  them,  forecasting 
their  future.  The  beginnings  of  true  influence 
and  success  are  laid  in  childhood.  .  .  .  No- 
less  marked  were  Evarts'  mental  traits.  His 
mind  was  active,  growing,  truth-loving.  During 
the  past  few  months  it  seemed  to  develop  rapidly 
and  healthily.  ...  It  was  his  custom  to 
commit  to  memory  the  lines  of  Homer  which 
entered  into  the  daily  lessons.  .  .  .  With  the 
genial  atmosphere  of  home,  with  such  healthy 
tastes,  what  rare  fruits  might  have  been  ex- 
pected !  .  .  .  Time,  temptation,  the  chances 
and  changes  of  life,  cannot  affect  him.  He  is 
'fixed  in  an  eternal  state.'  He  will  always  be 
the  same  boy  to  )rou.  And  where  your  treasure 
is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also.  God  takes 
these  human  ties  to  bind  us  to  another  world 
and  to  himself.  .  .  .  How  strange  a  thing  is 
life  !  But  yesterday,  and  the  tie  that  unites  you 
and  your  pastor  was  formed.  But  yesterday, 
and  the  first  baptism  which  I  ever  administered 
was  of  a  child  of  this  house,  and  now  the  first 
funeral  in  which  I  take  part  is  in  the  same 
family.  The  Angels  of  Life  and  of  Death  have 
stopped  at  that  one  door  so  close  to  each  other, 


XKCROLOGV.  223 

and  laid  the  amaranth  and  the  asphodel  side  by 
side  there." 

SIGMA  CHI  HALL,  May  25,  1870. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Omega  chapter,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Evarts  G.  Bou- 
tell  we  have  lost  a  brother  whose  literary  talent, 
whose  personal  worth  and  character,  whose  warm, 
genial  nature,  whose  many  virtues  and  high  sense 
of  honor,  have  not  only  secured  him  a  lasting 
reputation  among  the  members  of  our  order,  but 
have  endeared  him  to  all  who  ever  enjoyed  his 
society  or  friendship. 

Resolved,  That  the  untimely  death  of  Bro.  Bou- 
tell  has  deprived  our  fraternity  of  one  of  its 
most  devoted  and  ardent  members;  while  his  rel- 
atives and  friends  must  mourn  one  who  not  only 
reflects  honor  upon  them,  but  also  bade  fair  to 
take  high  rank  in  the  social,  scientific  and  literary 
circles  of  life. 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  mark  of  respect  due  to  his 
memory,  we  will  wear  the  usual  badge  of  mourn- 
ing of  the  order  for  the  usual  time. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
forwarded  to  the  Era/istonianior  publication;  also 
that  a  copy  be  communicated  to  the  relatives  of 
the  diseased,  with  the  expression  to  them  of  our 


224  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

warmest  sympathy  and  condolence  in  their  great 
bereavement. 

A.  D.  LANGWORTHY, 
M.  C.  BRAGDON, 
LORIN  C.  COLLINS, 

Committee, 

The  following  letter,  recently  written  to  the  edi- 
tor by  Professor  Robert  Baird,  illustrates  the  men- 
tal characteristics  and  worth  of  Bro.  Boutell: 

"  I  remember  Evarts,"  says  Professor  Baird, 
"as  one  of  those  boys  who  are  an  inspiration  to 
an  instructor,  and  whose  tragic  death,  coming  as 
it  did  in  the  early  years  of  my  teaching,  impressed 
me  as  nothing  since  has  impressed  me.  Tradi- 
tions of  his  wonderful  ability  lived  long  in  the 
memory  of  his  class  ('74);  but  while  I  recognize 
this,  what  seemed  most  remarkable  to  me  was  the 
ease  with  which  he  did  his  work.  Most  students 
who  show  great  ability  manifest  also  a  wearing 
intensity,  a  nervous  strain  that  makes  known 
what  their  achievements  cost.  But  Evarts  always 
seemed  perfectly  at  his  ease,  under  no  strain, 
making  no  effort,  performing  the  severest  tasks 
as  if  he  were  going  through  a  mere  business  for- 
mula which  he  was  repeating  for  the  hundredth 
time.  In  his  conduct  he  seemed  to  do  what  he 
wanted  to  do  and  yet  what  was  just  right.  I 
cannot  recall  that  I  ever  had  occasion  to  reprove 
or  correct  him,  though  I  never  knew  him,  so  far 


NECROLOGY.  225 

as  I  could  see,  to  make  any  effort  to  behave  him- 
self. I  remember  my  own  surprise  at  a  display 
of  his  ability  out  of  the  lines  in  which  we  usually 
saw  them.  It  was  at  the  end  of  the  term,  and 
the  class  were  writing  essays  on  the  work  we  had 
been  reading  (it  was  the  Anabasis).  Some  of  the 
students  had  arranged  their  essays  in  the  form  of 
a  debate.  Evarts  was  pitted  against  one  nearly 
twice  as  old  as  himself,and  in  addition  had  the  hard 
side  of  the  question.  I  well  remember  the  sur- 
prise of  the  class  when  he  arose  to  read  his  reply 
to  the  strong  plea  made  by  the  one  just  before 
him.  The  way  in  which  he  massed  and  mar- 
shaled his  arguments  made  us  see  in  him  what 
we  had  never  seen  before.  Everybody  was  aston- 
ished, and  though  not  given  to  applauding,  the 
class  could  hardly  be  restrained  when  he  fin- 
ished his  argument. 

It  was  strange  but  appropriate,  after  the  terri- 
ble accident,  to  find  on  the  blackboard  in  his 
well-known  hand,  and  with  his  proverbial  cor- 
rectness, the  last  sentence  he  translated  into 
Greek:  "Let  us  for  the  present  desist  from  the 
chase." 

Thie  mortal  remains  of  Bro.  Boutell  were 
placed  in  the  Rose  Hill  Cemetery. 


226  HISTORY    OF     OMEGA. 

II. 

FENNIMORE    ENZ.    HANCOCK. 
DIED  FEBRUARY  16,   1872. 

Aged  1 8 years  and  g  months. 
"  No  line  which,  dying,  he  could  wish  to  blot." 

Brother  Hancock  was  born  in  Plattville,  Grant 
county,  Wis.,  May  3,  1853.  He  was  the  second 
son  of  John  T.  and  Bertha  E.  Hancock.  When 
quite  young  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Du- 
buque.  The  foundation  of  his  eduction  was 
laid  in  the  schools  of  that  city,  where  he  was 
regarded  as  a  boy  of  rare  mental  endowments. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  attended  the  Agricult- 
ural College  at  Ames,  Iowa,  and  remained  one 
year.  He  then  returned  to  his  home,  and,  in  a 
short  time,  came  to  Northwestern  and  entered 
the  class  of  '72.  He  continued  his  studies  for 
two  years,  leaving  college  January  i,  1871,  to 
engage  in  the  grocery  business  at  Dubuque 
with  his  father. 

Bro.  Hancock  had  not  been  at  Northwestern 
very  long  before  he  was  recognized  by  the  mem- 
bers of  Omega  as  being  a  young  man  of  unusual 
promise,  and  one  who  would  reflect  great  honor 
on  the  fraternity  as  a  member.  He  was  initiated 
in  1869,  and  during  all  the  time  he  was  at  college 
he  was  a  devoted  and  enthusiastic  Sigma  Chi. 


NECROLOGY.  22; 

One  of  the  last  pictures  he  ever  had  taken  was 
while  at  Northwestern,  and  on  the  lapel  of  his 
coat  can  be  seen  the  badge  of  his  fraternity. 

His  brother  John  had  left  college  the  year 
before  and  had  established  himself  in  business. 
It  was  the  fond  desire  of  his  father  that  he  and 
John  should  take  up  the  business  which  he  had 
established  and  in  which  he  had  been  so  success- 
ful, and  carry  it  forward  on  its  prosperous  career. 
These  fond  hopes  of  a  devoted  father  were  dashed 
by  the  untimely  death  of  his  two  sons. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1872 
Fennimore  took  an  extended  trip  through  many 
of  the  southern  and  eastern  cities  with  a  view  of 
broadening  the  field  of  his  information  and  bene- 
fiting his  health.  The  change  from  the  cold  tem- 
perature of  Iowa  to  the  damp  tropical  climate  of 
Mississippi  and  the  South  was  too  sudden  and 
severe  for  his  delicate  constitution,  and  instead  of 
deriving  benefit  from  this  trip,  he  suffered 
physically  a  positive  injury  from  it.  The  germs 
of  disease  were  planted  in  his  system,  and  upon 
his  return  home  after  a  month  or  more  traveling, 
a  feeling  of  enervation  came  upon  him.  This 
continued  for  three  weeks,  when  the  insidious 
disease  demonstrated  its  power  and  commenced 
its  work  of  destruction.  It  took  the  form  of 
typhoid  fever,  and  this  was  accompanied  and  in- 
tensified by  congestion  of  the  lungs.  He  con- 


228  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

tinued  to  grow  weaker  and  weaker,  and  finally  at 
the  last  became  unconscious.  On  Thursday  after- 
noon, February  16,  1872,  he  died.  Those  who 
stood  around  the  couch  when  this  young  life 
closed  saw  how  quietly  the  earthly  tabernacle 
was  left  tenantless  and  how  peacefully  he  slipped 
away  without  a  struggle  or  pain.  Rev.  E.  K. 
Young  spoke  the  words  of  comfort  to  the  sor- 
rowful family  and  friends,  and  among  other 
things  gave  utterance  to  these  thoughts:  "There 
will  be  something  that  will  temper  the  bitterness 
of  your  sorrow,  and  assuage  the  intensity  of  your 
grief,  in  the  thought  that  you  can  look  with  sat- 
isfaction and  pride  upon  his  life  record.  Hewras 
manly,  affectionate,  and  courteous.  Those  who 
knew  him  intimately  bear  united  testimony  to 
this.  He  was  ever  mindful  of  the  amenities  of 
social  life,  careful  of  the  feelings  and  rights  of 
others,  and  thoughtful  ever  of  the  comfort  and 
happiness  of  his  friends." 

Of  Bro.  Hancock  the  Dubuque  Daily  Telegraph. 
gave  this  testimonial: 

"  Fennimore  was  a  young  man  of  superior 
mental  ability.  He  possessed  a  clear,  searching, 
discriminating  mind,  one  that  was  evenly  bal- 
anced. The  education  which  he  received  served 
only  to  add  additional  lustre  to  an  intellect  made 
bright  by  nature.  It  was  one  of  the  beauties,  yea 
virtues,  of  his  character  that  no  human  being  was 


NECROLOGY. 


229 


ever  caused  pain  by  anything  he  uttered. 
Singularly  upright  in  his  deportment,  affable  in 
his  manners,  and  agreeably  entertaining  in  his 
conversation,  he  endeared  himself  to  all  those 
with  whom  he  became  acquainted.  He  loved 
those  pleasures  the  province  of  which  it  is  to 
elevate  the  moral  and  intellectual  qualities,  and 
was  ever  among  the  foremost  in  literary  enter- 
prises. Nurtured  in  a  comfortable  home,  and 
surrounded  by  all  those  influences  which  develop 
the  finer  and  nobler  qualities  of  human  nature, 
his  life  and  character  were  reflexes  of  the  truest 
type  of  manhood." 

III. 

ROBERT  MARSHALL  HUMPHREY. 

DIED  AUGUST  3,  1875. 

Aged  24  years,  II  months  and  j  days. 

Robert  Marshall  Humphrey  was  born  August 
31,  1850,  at  Marietta,  Fulton  county,  Illinois.  His 
father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  that  county, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming.  Robert  belonged 
to  a  large  family.  He  had  eight  sisters  and  three 
brothers.  His  father  died  when  he  was  five  years 
and  his  mother  died  when  he  was  sixteen  years 
old.  Robert  was  a  brave,  energetic,  per- 
severing industrious  boy,  performing  any  duties 
assigned  him  on  the  farm  in  a  manner  unusual 


230  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

for  one  of  his  age.  He  was  always  one  of  the 
first  in  his  classes  in  school,  and  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years  he  could  spell  every  word  in  "  Web- 
ster's Spelling  Book,"  and  spell  and  define  every 
word  given  with  definition  in  "  McGuffey's  Fourth 
Reader."  He  seemed  to  excel  in  all  he  attempted 
to  learn.  He  was  particularly  fond  of  history, 
and  knew  the  "  History  of  the  Revolutionary 
War"  almost  by  heart.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
he  left  the  farm  and  attended  the  Normal  School 
at  Macomb,  Illinois.  In  September,  1869,  he 
entered  Hedding  College,  at  Abington,  Illinois, 
and,  taking  the  three  years'  course  of  stud}', 
graduated  in  1872.  It  was  then  his  good  fortune 
to  be  elected  principal  of  the  public  schools  at 
Avon,  Illinois.  He  remained  there  one  year. 
The  desire  for  knowledge  was  burning  within 
him  and  he  determined  upon  taking  a  regular 
collegiate  course  at  the  Northwestern  University. 
He  entered  the  freshman  class  of  1877,  and,  as  he 
was  in  advance  of  the  class  in  some  of  the 
required  work,  he  took  at  first  selected  studies. 
It  was  by  close  application  that  he  was  able  to 
enter  the  Latin  scientific  course  at  the  beginning 
of  the  sophomore  year. 

When  Robert  came  to  Evanston  he  had  few 
acquaintances.  His  first  friend  was  Mr.  W.  A. 
Hamilton,  who  became  his  room-mate,  and  with 
whom  he  shared  the  common  vicissitudes  of  a  col- 


NECROLOGY.  231 

lege  life..  But  his  genial  and  sincere  qualities 
soon  won  him  many  friends  and  admirers.  At 
the  election  of  officers  for  the  sophomore  year, 
he  was  chosen  president,  an  office  which  he  filled 
with  satisfaction  to  the  class  and  with  honor  to 
himself  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

There  are  not  many  of  our  old  college  friends 
whom  we  delight  to  call  to  memory  more  than 
"Bob"  Humphrey.  He  was  always  the  same 
studious,  kind,  gentle  "  Bob."  He  was  never 
so  busy  that  he  could  not  lend  one  ready  assist- 
ance over  a  knotty  problem,  or  so  preoccupied 
that  he  could  not  join  in  a  hearty  laugh  over  a 
college  joke.  He  possessed  all  the  traits  of  a 
gentleman,  and  no  one  who  knew  him  could  fail 
to  respect  and  admire  him.  In  February,  1875, 
he  was  initiated  into  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity. 
His  love  for  the  fraternity  was  cordial  and  sin- 
cere, and  he  was  ever  ready  to  promote  its  inter- 
ests and  increase  its  strength.  He  was  one  of 
those  constant  members  who  allowed  nothing 
save  sickness  to  keep  him  from  its  meetings.  The 
duties  assigned  to  him  were  always  willingly 
performed,  and  if  he  said  he  would  do  a  thing 
one  could  be  sure  of  its  accomplishment  if  it 
were  within  the  bounds  of  reason  and  possibility. 

During  the  summer  vacation  of  1875,  while 
visiting  relations  near  Bushnell,  111.,  he  fell  ill 
with  brain  fever.  The  disease  had  taken  a  firm 


232  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

hold,  and  after  a  severe  sickness  the  spirit  of  him 
whom  we  cherished  as  a  friend  and  a  brother  left 
us  to  join  the  silent  majority.  His  death  occurred 
August  3,  1875.  At  the  regular  meeting  of  the 
chapter,  held  on  October  12,  1875,  the  following 
was  adopted: 

"  For  the  first  time  in  three  years  we  are  called 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  valued  member  of  our 
chapter.  Robert  Marshall  Humphrey  possessed 
qualities  that  endeared  him  to  us,  and  in  his  death 
the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity  has  been  deprived  of 
one  who  at  all  times  and  places  was  wholly  devo- 
ted to  its  best  interests.  We  desire  in  this  brief 
token  of  respect  to  place  on  record  our  sense  of 
his  worth  as  a  gentleman,  a  scholar  and  a  Chris- 
tian. Although  his  life  on  earth  was  short,  we 
feel  thankful  that  we  have  had  the  privilege  of 
enjoying  his  intimacy,  and  we  shall  ever  cherish 
his  memory.  In  testimony  of  this  we  will  wear 
the  badge  of  mourning  for  the  usual  time.  To 
his  bereaved  family  and  friends  we  tender  our 
sympathy  in  this  our  common  loss." 

C.  R.  PAUL, 
A  D.  EARLY, 
C.  P.  WHEELER, 

Committee, 

The  historian  of  his  class  for  the  year  1876 
paid  him  this  well-deserved  tribute:  "  Death,  the 
infallible  ruler  over  mortal  life,  visited  our  class 


NECROLOGY.  233 

and  took  from  its  midst  one  of  its  truest  and 
most  faithful  members.  Robert  M.  Humphrey 
entered  the  class  in  the  freshman  year.  He  fol- 
lowed the  selected  course  of  studies  until  he  was 
able  to  enter  the  Latin  scientific  course  a  year 
later.  Fie  was  our  class  president,  and  in  this 
capacity  he  officiated  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
Ever  faithful  to  his  studies,  courteous  and  social, 
he  won  the  esteem  and  friendship  of  all  who 
came  in  contact  with  his  genial  disposition.  He 
possessed  that  characteristic  which  is  termed 
magnetism,  and  he  had  such  a  cast  of  mind  as 
predicted  a  truly  great  man.  Cut  down  in  the 
prime  of  life,  when  his  faculties  were  just  begin- 
ning to  show  forth  their  splendor,  when  in  a  few 
short  years  he  would  step  out  into  the  world  to 
do  good  deeds  to  his  fellow  men,  one  cannot  re- 
frain from  inquiring  why  this  mystery?  Why 
this  apparent  sacrifice  of  life?  We  cannot  ex- 
plain why  this  should  be,  but  we  can  in  all 
humility  bow  to  the  divine  will,  believing  that 
His  ways  are  better  than  ours.  Robert's  associa- 
tion with  us  has  been  beneficial  in  many  direc- 
tions. Let  us  be  thankful  for  these  benefits,  and 
let  us  emulate  so  far  as  in  us  lies  his  good  ex- 
ample. Let  us  cherish  his  memory  and  com- 
memorate his  sad  death  with  a  tribute  of  devout 
respect." 

In    the  cemetery  at  Marietta,  Illinois,  a  plain 


234  HISTORY     OF    OMEGA. 

monument  marks  the  place  where  Robert  M. 
Humphrey  is  buried.  Beside  him  lie  the  mor- 
tal remains  of  his  parents,  one  brother  and  one 
sister. 

IV. 

HARRY  PUTNEY  BROWN. 
DIED  DECEMBER  8,    1881. 

Aged  22  yea>s,  S  months  and  12  days. 

Harry  Putney  Brown  was  born  in  Genoa, 
Illinois,  March  26,  1859,  and  passed  his  boyhood 
at  his  father's  home  adjoining  the  village  of 
Genoa.  After  an  elementary  training  in  his 
native  village,  he  attended  the  Kane  County 
Academy  at  Elgin,  Illinois,  until  the  fall  of  1878, 
when  he  came  to  Evanston  and  entered  the  pre- 
paratory department  of  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity. After  a  year's  preparation  he  entered  the 
freshman  class  of  the  University  with  the  class 
of  '83.  His  aptitude  for  mathematics  determined 
his  plan  of  study,  and  he  decided  upon  the  scien- 
tific course.  During  his  freshman  and  sophomore 
years  he  showed  great  ability  in  scientific  sub- 
jects, particularly  in  mathematics  and  chemistry. 
During  the  winter  term  of  his  sophomore  year, 
his  health  not  being  good,  he  returned  to  his 
home,  but  again  resumed  his  college  work  at  the 
opening  of  the  spring  term.  But  his  health  did 


M  XROLOGY.  235 

not  improve,  and  on  April  29  he  left  college  and 
Evanston,  and,  as  it  proved,  never  to  return. 
During  the  following  summer  he  grew  very  much 
worse,  and,  though  he  struggled  hard  to  regain 
his  health,  and  was  never  discouraged,  the  in- 
sidious disease  slowly  but  surely  took  possession 
of  his  weakened  frame,  and  he  died,  after  an 
illness  of  seven  months,  December  9,  1881.. 

Bro.  Brown  was  an  enthusiastic  member  of 
Omega  chapter  and  thoroughly  devoted  to  the 
fraternity  he  so  dearly  loved.  His  efforts  in  be- 
half of  the  chapter  are  kindly  remembered  by 
those  who  sat  with  him  around  the  mystic  circle, 
and  they  never  will  forget  the  cheerful  face, 
kind  looks  and  ever-active  interest  in  all 
fraternity  work  so  characteristic  of  Bro.  Harry 

Brown. 

*       *       * 

v. 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM   RANDOLPH. 
DIED  MARCH  n,  1882. 

.-/;•«/  2*  Vi'iT's,   6  months  and  2  days. 

Frederick  William  Randolph  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Chicago,  September  7,  1859,  and  died  at 
Lake  Benton,  in  south-western  Minnesota,  March 
ii,  1882. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  began  his  educa- 
tional course  in  the  public  schools  of  Evanslor, 


236  HISTORY    OF    OMKGA. 

and  continued  his  studies  in  the  Northwestern 
University,  where  he  entered  with  the  class  of 
'Si.  He  subsequently  passed  two  years  at  the 
Pennsylvania  Military  Academy,  at  Chester,  in 
the  hope  of  securing  the  increased  physical  de- 
velopment which  he  greatly  needed.  Returning 
in  the  autumn  of  1879,  to  rejoin  his  class  at  the 
University,  and  at  the  same  time  enter  its  Law  de- 
partment, he  became  associated,  in  the  following 
spring,  with  the  Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  and  re- 
mained an  active  member  till  his  death.  The  col- 
lege rules  forbidding  simultaneous  membership  in 
two  departments  prevented  his  taking  a  degree  at 
the  University,  though  his  classmates  recognized 
his  merit  as  a  student  by  awarding  him  their 
class-prophecy.  From  the  law  school  he  gradu- 
ated with  credit,  taking  one  of  the  prize  orations. 
At  a  very  early  age  he  had  developed  a  decided 
preference  for  the  legal  profession,  for  the  suc- 
cessful prosecution  of  which  he  seemed  peculi- 
arly endowed  by  nature.  Impatient  of  delay  in 
entering  upon  his  anticipated  life  work,  and  hav- 
ing a  strong  desire  that  his  future  professional 
career  should  rest  upon  foundations  constructed 
by  his  own  unaided  efforts,  he  preferred  to  inau- 
gurate that  career  single-handed  and  among 
strangers.  Leaving  his  home  at  South  Evanston 
to  take  up  his  residence  and  begin  the  practice  of 
law  at  Lake  Benton,  Minnesota,  he  was,  by  the 


NECROLOGY.  237 

laws  of  that  state,  required  to  pass  an  examina- 
tion before  its  Supreme  Court,  which  the  presid- 
ing judge  pronounced  the  most  satisfactory  he  had 
ever  known.  The  people  of  Lake  Benton  shortly 
appointed  him  village  attorney,  and  the  ordi- 
nances which  govern  that  now  thriving  city  are 
his  work. 

On  the  evening  of  March  10,  he  retired  as 
usual  to  his  sleeping  room  adjoining  and  connect- 
ing with  his  business  office.  Failing  to  appear  at 
both  the  morning  and  the  mid-day  meals  of  the 
nth,  search  was  instituted  at  his  rooms,  where 
he  was  found  lying  as  in  a  peaceful  slumber,  but 
with  the  last  evidence  of  life  extinct.  The  cause 
was  but  too  apparent.  On  retiring  to  his  room 
he  had  filled  the  magazine  of  his  office  coal-stove; 
neglecting  properly  to  close  it,  however,  the 
escaping  coal-gas  had  silently  performed  its 
deadly  work,  and,  all  unconscious  and  without  a 
struggle,  he  had  breathed  his  life  away. 

Fred  Randolph  might  have  succeeded  admi- 
rably as  a  caricaturist,  for  he  had  rare  humor  with 
a  delicate  artistic  sense.  He  possessed  the  kind  of 
talent  that  made  Nast  so  famous,  and  from  him 
his  work  once  received  a  warm  commendation. 
But  he  chose  to  concentrate  all  effort  in  one 
channel.  He  used  to  quote  sometimes  from  Earl 
Granville,  especially  that  grand  old  sentence  be- 
ginning, "Man  doth  not  yield  himself  unto  the 


238  HISTORY  OF  OMEGA. 

angels,  nor  even  unto  death,  utterly,  save  through 
the  weakness  of  his  own  feeble  will."  It  was  the 
expression  of  his  own  earnestness  and  intense 
belief  in  the  reality  of  life.  Hence,  though  he 
had  that  rare  ability  which  promised  success  in 
almost  any  direction,  he  worked  with  fixity  of 
purpose. 

Fred  Randolph  was  a  student,  of  course,  when 
we  boys  of  Sigma  Chi  first  knew  him.  He  came 
among  us  at  a  time  when  strong  character  and 
individuality  leave  their  most  ready  impress;  so 
we  shall  like  him  best  as  we  knew  him  in  those 
college  days,  when  we  admired  his  marked 
ability  as  a  student  and  his  keen  humor  was  a 
power  throughout  the  school.  Neither  is  such  a 
memory  unjust,  for  the  guild  of  student  life  has 
much  in  common  with  the  world  outside,  and 
while  it  may  not  be  appropriate  to  speculate  upon 
the  success  he  might  have  won,  we  may  truly 
say  that,  as  he  had  qualities  of  leadership,  so  we 
believed  him  fated  for  noble  things. 

On  the  sunny  slope  at  the  north  end  of  Rose 
Hill,  a  stone  bears  the  simple  story  of  his  twen- 
ty-two years.  It  seems  but  the  record  of  a  life 
begun;  and  yet,  to  those  who  knew  and  loved 
him  well  the  memory  has  more  of  tenderness 
because  the  sketch,  wherein  the  cardinal  lines 
were  so  strong  and  true,  was  never  finished. 


NECROLOGY. 


239 


VI. 

JOHN    S.    HANCOCK. 
DIED  JANUARY  20,  1883. 

Aged  32  years,  8  months  and  23  days. 

John  S.  Hancock  was  born  April  27,  1850,  at 
Platteville,  Grant  county,  Wis.  His  mother  was 
of  Swiss  descent.  His  father,  John  T.  Hancock, 
was  an  American,  and  was  at  the  head  of  the 
large  wholesale  grocery  firm  of  John  T.  Hancock 
&  Son,  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  which  was  established 
in  1856.  When  a  boy,  John  attended  the  public 
schools  of  that  city,  and  later  the  high  school. 
In  1866  he  went  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  and  became 
a  student  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University.  He 
was  in  the  classical  course  and  remained  there 
three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he  came  to 
Evanston,  and  entered  the  University  in  the 
class  of  '72.  Bro.  Collins,  who  had  also  been 
at  Delaware  and  had  come  to  Northwestern, 
was  undoubtedly  instrumental  in  bringing  Bro. 
Hancock  here.  He  was  taken  into  the  Omega 
chapter  in  July,  1869,  His  interest  in  Sigma 
Chi  was  always  cordial  and  sincere,  and  his 
experiences  in  the  fraternity  were  among_  the 
pleasantest  in  his  college  life.  He  did  not  re- 


240  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

main  here  very  long.  On  January  6,  1870,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Dora  A.  Stark,  and  in  1871 
he  entered  the  grocery  business  with  his  father. 
His  connection  with  this  business  was  maintained 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Bro.  Hancock  possessed  fine  business  talent, 
and  he  was  ever  alert  to  promote  the  interests 
and  to  maintain  and  increase  the  high  reputation 
of  his  firm.  It  was  on  account  of  overwork 
in  this  capacity  that  a  change  of  climate  be- 
came necessary  to  him.  He  traveled  through 
New  Mexico,  California  and  Montana.  While  in 
New  Mexico  he  became  interested  in  the  cattle 
business,  and  he  determined  to  make  his  home 
there,  hoping  to  regain  his  health  and  also  to 
build  up  a  profitable  business.  He  settled  in 
Mora  county,  about  fifty  miles  from  Las  Vegas, 
and,  with  his  accustomed  energy,  entered  upon 
the  duties  and  work  before  him.  In  April,  1882, 
he  removed  his  family  to  Las  Vegas.  He  had 
four  children,  three  girls  and  one  boy.  The 
youngest,  a  girl,  died  when  about  nineteen 
months  old. 

On  New  Year's  Day.  1883,  while  engaged  in 
his  new  and  flourishing  business,  he  caught  a 
severe  cold.  It  assumed  an  acute  form,  and  in  a 
few  days  it  was  found  necessary  for  him  to  go  to 
California,  and  he  started  upon  the  arrival  of  his 
father.  He  was  taken  to  Los  Angeles,  the 


NECROLOGY.  241 

Spanish  City  of  Angels,  one  of  earth's  paradises, 
whither  the  well,  the  sick  and  the  aged  make  pil- 
grimages. Here  he  spent  the  few  remaining 
short  days  of  life,  and  then  passed  to  the  unseen 
realms  above,  the  eternal  paradise. 

The  many  of  us  who  never  knew  Bro.  Hancock, 
but  have  followed  his  exceptionally  prosperous 
career,  can  with  deep  emotion  join  in  the  heart- 
felt sympathy  of  his  classmates  and  friends  over 
his  untimely  death.  No  better  testimony  can  be 
given  than  that  of  his  friends,  and  it  is  with 
pride  and  profound  respect  that  we  close  this 
notice  of  our  departed  brother  with  the  eloquent 
and  just  tribute  of  one  of  them  published  in  a 
Dubuque  paper  soon  after  his  death: 

"  Here  where  Mr.  Hancock  has  been  known  from 
early  boyhood  to  the  present,  he  was  as  thorough- 
ly admired  among  business  men,  for  his  rare  and 
ripe  excellencies  as  for  his  tender  heart  and  purity 
of  life  by  his  family  and  intimate  friends.  He 
was  an  ambitious  man;  not  selfishly  for  his  own 
gratification,  but  that  he  might  increase  the  sum 
of  human  worth  in  the  world.  His  theory  of  life 
was  that  no  one  filled  the  purpose  of  his  birth 
unless  the  world  was  made  the  better  by  his  ex- 
istence; and  in  order  to  exemplify  the  full  meas- 
ure of  this  idea  he  employed  every  faculty  of  his 
being  with  all  the  vigor  and  intensity  of  his  en- 
thusiastic nature.  While  his  intellect  was  ever 


242  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

alert  with  lofty  grasping  after  the  highest  busi- 
ness prizes,  his  conscience  and  moral  sensibilities 
maintained  a  constant  guardianship  over  his 
whole  life.  To  say  that  John  S.  Hancock  bore 
the  esteem  of  every  one  who  knew  him  is  a  truth 
which  no  qualifying  words  can  emphasize. 
Charity  never  besought  him  in  vain.  By  his  fire- 
side he  was  peculiarly  tender  and  loving  as  hus- 
band and  father,  while  his  devotion  to  his  dear 
old  father  and  mother  was  a  beautiful  illustra- 
tion of  filial  affection.  His  friendships  were 
frank,  cordial  and  enduring.  In  public  life  he 
was  the  friend  of  every  important  enterprise,  and 
many  of  the  thoughts  which  have  been  most 
fruitful  for  Dubuque's  advancement  had  birth  in 
his  active  mind.  His  character  was  the  sun  of  his 
life.  High  minded  and  noble,  we  doubt  if  one 
ever  heard  a  vulgar  or  impure  word  escape  his 
lips.  He  was  an  honor  alike  to  his  parents,  his 
family,  his  friends,  and  to  society.  He  leaves 
the  best  of  all  possessions — the  legacy  of  a  pure 
life  and  an  unsullied  character  to  the  young  men 
of  Dubuque.  May  they  emulate  his  example." 
The  mortal  remains  of  Bro.  Hancock  were 
placed  in  Linwood  cemetery,  at  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
in  the  same  family  lot  where  those  of  his  brother 
Fennimore,  who  died  in  1872,  were  placed,  and 
who  was  also  a  member  of  Omega. 


M-'X'ROI.OGY.  243 

VII. 

EZRA   BENEDICT   PARRISH. 

DIED  MAY  21,  1883. 
Aged 35  years,  6  months  and  22  days. 

Ezra  Benedict  Parrish  was  born  at  Royalton, 
Berrien  county,  Mich.,  on  October  29,  1847.  His 
parents  were  of  English  descent.  His  father, 
Gould  Parrish,  is  a  farmer  by  profession  and 
lives  at  Stevensville,  Mich.  Ezra  had  three  sis- 
ters and  two  brothers.  Aside  from  the  ordinary 
schools,  he  attended  the  South  Bend  Univer- 
sity, where  he  prepared  for  college.  In  the 
fall  of  1872  he  came  to  Evanston,  and  entered 
the  Preparatory  department  with  the  class  of 
'77.  It  was  at  this  time  that  he  became  identified 
with  Sigma  Chi,  and  was  initiated  into  the 
Omega  chapter,  June  2,  1873.  Brother  Parrish 
expected  to  go  through  the  University  with  his 
class,  but  adverse  circumstances  prevented  him, 
as  it  did  many  others  at  that  time,  from  pursuing 
his  studies  farther.  He  was  with  the  active 
chapter  a  short  time,  and  had  only  a  few  weeks 
of  the  delightful  experiences  in  the  fraternity 
work. 

On  March  31,  1875,  he  was  married  at  St. 
Joseph,  Mich.,  to  Miss  Ella  Whipple.  This 
happy  union  was  blessed  with  four  children,  two 


244  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

boys  and  two  girls.  The  oldest  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, died  in  1879.  After  his  marriage  Bro. 
Parrish,  with  his  young  bride,  went  to  Iowa. 
There  they  taught  in  the  country  schools  together 
for  one  year.  While  engaged  in  this  work  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  M.  E.  Church. 
The  following  year  he  became  principal  of  the 
schools  at  Hastings,  Iowa.  He  remained  there 
two  years.  Finding  a  good  opening  at  Malvern, 
Iowa,  he  moved  his  family  and  served  as  princi- 
pal of  the  schools  there  as  long  as  his  health  per- 
mitted. His  success  as  a  teacher  was  especially 
noted,  and  he  was  sincerely  respected  and  loved 
by  all  his  pupils.  He  was  earnest  and  conscien- 
tious in  his  work,  and  was  always  ready  as  a 
loyal  citizen  to  do  his  part  in  promoting  every 
good  cause.  During  the  winter  of  1879  he  as- 
sumed the  editorship  of  the  Malvern  Leader,  and 
soon  thereafter  he  consolidated  it  with  the  Re- 
publican. The  last  of  September,  1881,  he  gave 
up  his  editorial  work,  took  his  family  to  Iowa 
City  and  entered  the  law  class  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity. He  worked  hard  for  one  year,  not 
heeding  the  great  strain  on  his  mind  and  body, 
and  completed  his  course.  He  graduated  June 
20,  1882.  While  at  that  University  he  compiled, 
as  class  editor,  the  statistics  of  his  class.  There 
were  139  members  of  the  class,  and  the  document 
he  published  is  a  very  creditable  one  indeed. 


\ii  ROUH;Y.  245 

Returning  to  Malvern,  he  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  Hon.  W.  S.  Lewis  for  the  practice  of 
law.  He  was  soon  elected  mayor  of  that  city, 
and  served  in  that  office  until  his  departure  for 
Dakota.  Feeling  that  his  health  was  failing,  he 
decided  to  go  farther  west,  hoping  to  receive 
some  benefit  from  the  change  of  climate.  Hav- 
ing secured  a  homestead  in  Douglas  county, 
Dak.,  he,  in  company  with  his  brother  James,  left 
Malvern  in  the  spring  of  1883  with  two  teams 
and  wagons.  They  were  two  weeks  on  the  road. 
The  labor  of  preparing  a  house  for  his  family 
now  commenced.  There  were  many  trials  and 
discomforts,  but  through  all  he  seemed  hopeful. 
The  climate,  however,  did  not  bring  the  relief 
expected,  and  each  day  he  grew  more  weak. 
The  little  house  was  finished  and  the  family  soon 
joined  him.  Bro.  Parrish  had  for  many  years 
been  suffering  from  dyspepsia.  He  died  very 
suddenly,  and  it  is  believed  from  congestion  of 
the  bowels.  On  Saturday  he  had  ridden  sixteen 
miles,  and  on  Monday  following  his  spirit  had 
departed.  He  was  laid  at  rest  on  his  claim  in 
Dakota.  He  leaves  a  widow  and  three  small 
children,  the  oldest  being  not  quite  five  years  of 
age.  Mrs.  Parrish  is  now  living  at;  Stevensville, 
Mich. 

Bro.  Parrish  united  with  the  Methodist  church 
February  22,  1857,  being  ten  years  old.     During 


246  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

his  life  he  was  a  faithful  follower  of  the  cross. 
His  work  for  the  Master  was  always  sincere  and 
effective,  many  times  exerting  himself  beyond 
his  strength.  He  was  a  republican,  and,  when 
prohibition  assumed  a  prominent  part  in  Iowa 
politics,  he  lent  his  efforts  to  the  cause,  and  put 
his  whole  soul  into  it.  In  June,  1882,  he  deliv- 
ered a  temperance  lecture,  in  which  he  favored 
the  adoption  of  the  prohibitory  amendment  to 
the  constitution  in  strong  and  forcible  terms. 
He  had  a  good  command  of  language,  and  was 
considered  a  fine  orator.  As  a  temperance  lec- 
turer he  \vas  not  excelled  in  southwest  Iowa.  In 
all  his  life-work  Bro.  Parrish  was  a  faithful,  con- 
scientious man,  striving  to  do  right  and  helping 
those  who  were  in  need.  He  was  kind  and  lov- 
ing in  his  family,  and  was  a  devoted  husband 
and  father.  His  work  is  finished,  but  the  record 
of  it  is  a  glory  to  his  family,  his  friends,  and  the 
Sigma  Chi  Fraternity. 

VIII. 

FRANK    EDWARD    HESLER. 
DIED  JANUARY   i,   1884. 

Aged  32  years,  S  months  and  28  days. 

Frank  Hesler  was  one  of  those  people  of  whom 
it  seems  impossible  to  think  as  dead.  Always 
full  of  life  and  spirit,  ever  the  center  of  whatever 


NECROLOGY.  247 

activity  there  was  about  him,  one  cannot  imagine 
him  silenced  and  resting  forever  from  life's  busy 
turmoil. 

He  was  born  on  the  third  day  of  April,  1851,  at 
Galena,  111.,  being  the  eldest  -;f  eight  children.  His 
father,  Alexander  Hesler,  was  a  photographer,  and 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best  in  Chicago.  There 
is  a  curious  little  incident  connected  with  his 
early  years  that  is  worth  repeating.  His  father 
visited  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony,  in  May,  1851,  when 
a  little  hamlet  was  all  that  foreshadowed  the  com- 
ing metropolis  on  its  banks,  taking  with  him  Frank, 
then  a  very  little  child.  One  day  as  they  were 
looking  up  at  the  tumbling,  rushing  waters,  Mr. 
Hesler,  moved  by  an  irresistible  impulse,  lifted 
the  little  fellow  up  under  the  beautiful  spray, 
giving  him  a  baptism  in  one  of  nature's  grandest 
fonts.  He  little  dreamed  that  beside  this  spot 
would  spring  up  the  city  of  Minneapolis,  the 
great  wonder  of  the  Northwest,  and  that  it  would 
be  the  home  of  his  son's  future  bride. 

While  on  this  same  visit  Mr.  Hesler  took  a 
daguerreotype  view  of  the  Falls  of  Minnehaha. 
From  this  picture  Longfellow  gained  his  idea  of 
that  beautiful  sheet  of  falling  water,  which  he 
soon  after  immortalized  in  the  song  of  "Hia- 
watha." 

In  the  course  of  time  the  Hesler  family  came 
to  live  in  Evanston.  Frank  commenced  his  stud- 


248  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

ies  in  the  Preparatory  department  of  the  North- 
western University,  and  afterward  entered  the 
University  in  the  classical  course.  A  civil  en- 
gineering course  of  study  being  afterward  estab- 
lished, he  was  the  first  to  register  in  it.  In  1869, 
while  in  college,  he  became  a  member  of  Sigma 
Chi,  and  into  Omega  chapter  he  put  his  whole 
soul  and  enthusiasm.  Frank  was  one  of  the 
most  active  in  having  the  chapter  reorganized  in 
1872.  Although  engaged  in  business,  he  found 
plenty  of  time  to  devote  to  the  fraternity.  The 
chapter  did  not  have  a  suitable  hall,  and  through 
his  generosity  the  meetings  of  the  fraternity 
were  held  in  his  father's  art  gallery.  He  in- 
vented new  modes  of  initiation,  putting  all  his 
ingenuity  into  exercise.  He  fired  the  whole 
chapter  with  his  zeal  and  energy,  and  to  the  last 
day  of  his  life  he  loved  Sigma  Chi  with  an  af- 
fection that  is  rare  in  a  man  who  has  been  out  of 
•college  for  many  years. 

When  the  hand  of  disease  was  upon  him,  and 
the  end  not  far  off,  he  attended  the  annual 
banquet  of  Omega,  at  the  Union  League  Club, 
and,  throwing  off  the  sadness  that  suffering  had 
•cast  over  him,  spoke  to  the  boys,  with  a  return  of 
his  old  fire  and  enthusiasm,  words  that  they  will 
not  soon  forget. 

When  the  time  of  our  great  Chicago  fire  came 
Frank  was  obliged  to  leave  college  with  his 


M  (  ROLOGY.  249 

course  of  study  uncompleted.  During  1872  he 
was  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Ouincy 
Railroad,  doing  practical  work  as  a  civil  engineer. 
Leaving  this  position,  he  wrote  for  a  time  in  the 
County  Clerk's  Office  in  Chicago.  Later,  his 
father  established  his  photograph  gallery  in 
Evanston,  and  Frank  became  associated  with  him 
in  business.  In  the  summer  of  1873  he  visited  his 
old  college  chum  Frank  M.  Elliot,  in  Minneapolis. 
While  on  this  visit  he  had  an  opportunity  of 
doing  some  journalistic  work,  which  was  always 
very  congenial  to  him.  He  was  connected  at 
different  times  with  the  St.  Paul  Dispatch,  the 
Minneapolis  Erening  Journal,  the  Pioneer  Press  and 
the  Areu<  York  Tribune,  for  which  latter  paper  he 
reported  the  Guiteau  trial. 

Finding  Minneapolis  a  very  delightful  place, 
he  soon  became  identified  with  the  young  people 
there.  On  December  15,  1874,  he  made  his 
ties  to  the  city  still  more  binding  by  marrying 
Miss  Ada  V.  Reid,  the  only  daughter  of  Hon.  A. 
M.  Reid,  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen.  In 
the  winter  of  1874  a  play,  called  the  "Color 
Guard,"  was  given  at  the  Academy  of  Music,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  of  Minneapolis. 
Frank  Hesler  took  the  leading  part  in  this  play, 
and  covered  himself  with  glory.  The  original 
intention  had  been  to  give  only  one  performance, 
but  its  success  was  so  great  that  it  was  repeated 


250  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

several  nights.  He  was  such  a  fine  actor  that  he- 
was  often  urged  to  go  upon  the  regular  stage, 
where,  no  doubt,  his  talent  would  have  made 
him  a  fortune. 

After  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  the  drug 
business,  and  afterward  in  milling.  From  his 
early  youth  he  had  the  desire  to  be  a  lawyer, 
feeling  within  him  the  powers  for  success  in  that 
profession.  But  not  until  1881  did  he  see  the 
way  clear  to  carry  out  a  course  of  legal  study, 
which  he  had  begun  in  private  at  home.  He  ac- 
cepted a  position  in  the  Fifth  Auditor's  Depart- 
ment at  Washington,  and  took  up  the  studies  in 
the  Columbian  Law  School,  attending  lectures 
morning  and  evening.  His  health  becoming  im- 
paired, he  went  West  in  September,  1883,  to  join 
the  officers  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway  in  a 
trip  over  their  road,  sending  back  racy  newspaper 
reports,  as  was  his  custom  in  all  his  travels.  On 
his  return  from  this  journey  his  friends  saw  that 
the  sadness  and  feebleness  which  had  lately  been 
noticed  in  him  had  increased,  and  soon  there  was 
no  doubt  that  he  was  a  victim  of  the  terrible 
Bright's  disease.  Everything  that  could  be  done 
to  save  him  was  tried  —  southern  air,  tender 
nursing,  and  the  best  of  medical  aid  were  given, 
but  to  no  avail.  At  his  Evanston  home,  as  the 
new  year  of  1884  came  in,  he  gently  passed  out  of 
this  life  with  a  quiet  resignation  and  trust  that 


XKCKOI.OC.V.  251 

were  a  blessing  to  those  who  were  left  behind. 
Me  suffered  greatly  during  his  illness.  Dr. 
Noyes  very  beautifully  expressed  the  idea  in  his 
funeral  remarks,  that,  however  we  might  wonder 
why  a  young  man  should  be  taken  off  in  the  very 
prime  of  his  life,  we  could  not  doubt  that,  as  he 
had  gone  to  a  home  where  he  would  have  no 
more  suffering,  but  joy  forever,  the  change  was 
right  and  good  for  him.  After  the  last  services 
were  over,  his  body  was  borne  to  the  cars  by  his 
Sigma  Chi  brothers — M.  C.  Bragdon,  E.  H.  Web- 
ster, F.  D.  Raymond,  and  F.  M.  Elliot.  He  was 
interred  in  the  family  burying  lot  at  Racine, 
\Vis. 

Mrs.  Hesler  received  the  following  letter  from 
Washington  soon  after  his  death: 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT,  FIFTH      j) 

AUDITOR'S  OFFICE, 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  5,  1884.  ) 

MRS.  F.   E.  HESLER  — 

My  Dear  Madam  —  I  cannot  tell  you  how  sad 
we  have  been  made  this  morning  by  the 
announcement  of  your  husband's  death.  It 
came  so  suddenly  that  it  has  shocked  the  whole 
office.  I  need  not  tell  you  that  your  husband 
was  a  great  favorite  with  us  —  his  fund  of  humor, 
his  genial  manners,  his  close  attention  to  busi- 
ness, and  his  readiness  to  help  everybody, 
made  him  very  dear  to  us  all,  and  our  hearts  go 


252  HISTORY    OF    CM  KG  A. 

out  to  you  in  this  dark  hour  of  bereavement 
But  we  are  happy  in  the  thought  that  you  are 
not  without  support  while  traversing  this  valley 
darkened  by  the  shadow  of  death.  Aside  from 
your  faith  in  God,  who  never  fails  to  sustain  his 
children  in  times  of  trouble  and  sorrow,  the 
memory  of  your  husband's  noble  qualities  will  be 
of  great  comfort  to  you.  He  was  associated  with 
us  less  than  two  years,  and  yet  I  can  say,  without 
hesitation,  that  we  who  knew  him  best  loved  him, 
while  all  thoroughly  respected  him. 

As  a  slight  token  of  our  respect,  the  desk  and 
chair  which  Frank  occupied  have  been  draped, 
and  kind  friends  added  a  broken  wreath  of  beau- 
tiful flowers,  which  will  be  forwarded  to  you  by 
express. 

Around  these  evidences  of  our  high  regard  the 
ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  office  gathered  at  an 
early  hour  this  afternoon,  and  in  a  formal  man- 
ner requested  that  I  extend  their  sympathy  to 
the  wife  and  family  of  their  dead  friend.  As  a 
further  mark  of  respect,  the  office  was  closed  for 
the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Sincerely  your  friend, 

D.  S.   ALEXANDER. 

The  Evening  Journal  at  Minneapolis,  in  an 
editorial,  spoke  of  Bro.  Hesler  in  these  kind 
words:  "The  death  of  Frank  E.  Hesler,  which 


NECROLOGY.  253 

occurred  on  New  Year's  day,  at  the  home  of  his 
father  in  Evanston,  111.,  will  carry  grief  to  the 
hearts  of  numerous  friends  in  Minneapolis.  Mr. 
Hesler  was  a  young  man  of  brilliant,  natural 
gifts  and  kindly  impulses.  He  was  universally 
popular.  We  do  not  think  he  had  an  enemy  in 
the  world.  At  the  time  he  was  stricken  down 
with  the  dread  disease  that  carried  him  off,  his 
life  appeared  full  of  happy  promise.  The  Journal 
extends  to  the  bereaved  widow,  parents,  and 
other  relatives  and  friends,  its  heartfelt  sympathy 
in  their  affliction." 

Resolutions  appropriate  to  the  occasion  were 
passed  and  recorded  by  Omega  Chapter,  and 
also  by  Khurum  Lodge,  No.  112,  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.,  at  Minneapolis. 

To  those  who  knew  him,  it  will  be  impossible 
to  say  enough  concerning  his  good  qualities ;  to 
those  who  have  never  seen  him,  it  is  impossible 
to  give  an  idea  of  his  kindly,  manly,  Christian 
character.  He  loved  fun,  and  kept  everyone 
about  him  in  a  happy  frame  of  mind.  He  was 
unusually  talented,  and  had  unlimited  resources 
within  himself.  Those  who  were  with  him  in 
his  college  days  will  always  look  back  with  pleas- 
ure to  the  times  when  he  was  constantly  evolving 
some  new  entertainment,  for  their  benefit,  from 
his  fertile  brain.  His  home  was  the  scene  of 
some  of  the  most  delightful  gatherings  the  young 


254  HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 

people  of  those  days  ever  knew.  He  was  a  won- 
derful mimic,  and  in  the  little  theater  which  he 
improvised  in  his  father's  attic  were  given  some 
bits  of  acting  that  would  have  done  credit  to  any 
performer  on  a  larger  stage.  Whatever  he  was 
doing  he  entered  into  with  his  whole  might  —  be 
it  the  planning  of  an  initiation,  the  surveying  of 
a  railroad,  or  the  editing  of  a  paper,  and  those 
fortunate  ones  who  were  blessed  with  his  friend- 
ship found  that  he  was  as  hearty  in  that  as  in 
everything  else. 

When  quite  young  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Evanston,  and  through- 
out life  he  strove  to  be  consistent  with  his 
Christian  faith  and  his  early  professions. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

LIST    OF    MEMBERS. 

THE  address  and  occupation  is  given  on  the 
latest  information  known  to  us.  The  brothers 
are  requested  to  send  to  the  editor  any  correction 
of  errors  in  this  list,  and  report  any  change  of 
address  or  occupation  at  any  future  time. 


256 


HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 


Address. 

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.!  Pueblo,  Col. 
Aberdeen,  D.  T. 
Melbourne,  Australia. 
.  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 
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Evanston,  111.  \ 
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Anderson,  Martin  Luth 
Appleton,  Alanson  Stev 

Baker,  Holland  William 

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LIST    OF    MEMBERS. 


257 


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258 


HISTORY    Of    OMEGA. 


Address. 

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Vincennes,  Ind. 
Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

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123  Fifth  Ave.,  Chicag 
170  Thirtieth  St.,  Chic, 

Sherriff's  Office,  Chica 

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Empona.  Kansas. 
Lyons,  France. 

Occupation. 

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Hamline.  John  Henry 
Hancock,  Fennimore, 
Hancock,  John  S  
Hesler,  Frank  Edward 
Harrison,  Edwin  John 

Haskin  Walter  E  

—     sT-0^  Si  ^  Xc 

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Ilgenfritz,  Charles  Alv 
Jessup,  Robert  Basil 
Knappen,  Frank  Edwa 

Kampf,  Frederick  B. 
Knox,  William  M  
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Dwight,  111. 
Rock  Island,  111, 

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120  Fifth  Ave.,  Chicago. 
1128  S.  E.  Fourth  St.,  Minne- 
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HISTORY    OF    OMEGA. 


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INDEX. 


Alumni  Chapters 18 

Alpliii  Chapter..     ....  :«»,  si,  202 

Andrews,  E.W.,  SO,  96.  '.is,  102, 
103,  Hi:.,  101.  II.-,,  120,  131,135, 

138,  142,  147,  \:  I. 

Appieton,  A.  s.,  4;.',  ss,  138. 

139,  149. 

A  i nil -rsi  i n,  M.  L 94 

Adams,  I.  E 100,  101 

Andrews,  F.  T.,  10-',  111,  112, 
115,  121),  123. 

Alpha  Eta 12!*,  131 

Alpha  '/.eta. l".i.  132 

Alpha  Iota r-.i,  132 

A  matter  of  policy 161-163 

Beal,  E.  H  ..  31,  130,  13s 

Bragdon,  M.  ('.,  31,  :S5,  10,  1:53, 
i:io,  i:!8,  159,  174,  221.  2,1. 

Butler  University 15 

Beloit  College,  Hi;  Chapter 

at 120 

Bragrdon,  G.  E.,  38,  40,  136, 

138,  151. 

Beta  Thetsi  Pi,  45,  (W,  86,  88-92, 
96,98;  Reception,  100:  Tur- 
key, 112, 11",  150-16*,  211. 
Booth.  \V.  M.,  70, 80.  96,98,101, 
102,  105,  115,  k'3,  1!55,  136,  138, 
13!i.  112,  147,  177. 

Brown,  W.  L 87 

Bennett,.!.  W S7,  III 

I  tear  Story,  The 92,  Is2-200 

Baker.  II.  \V    94 

Bross,  Mason 10s,  1 15,  137 

Brewer,  F.  M  113 

Brown,  H.  P    . .   109,  114. :.':!!.  2:i5 

Burke,  J.  G 136,  138,  140 

Blanchard,  The  Prize 143 

Beta  Beta  Chapter 18 

Beta  Chapter 19 

"radley,  L.  L) 38  40 

Baseball  Team.  1871 150 

Bristol,   F.  M 166,173,  176 

Bell.T.  C 211 

Boutell,  Evarts,  G 217  225 

Boutell,  Henry  S 21s 

Baird,  Prof.  Robert 224 


Constantino  Chapter 19 

Collins,  Hon.  Lorin  C.,  30,  31, 

:i3,  3s,  40,  125.  133.  130,  140, 

146.  151,  111.221.239. 

Colliimbian    l.'niversity 15 

College  of  New  Jei-soy 15 

Cumberland  fniversity . .  15,18 

Centre  College 16 

Cooper,  H.  A,  41,  71,  133,  i:iO, 

137,  138,  139,  1 16. 
Colfnx,  Hon.  Suhuyler,  88.  SM.  ;•-.• 

Crozier,  D.  E 104, 118 

Convention,  Tenth  Biennial, 

106;    Thirteenth    Biennial, 

111;     Report    to.    115,     116; 

Fourteenth    Biennial,  The, 

122  127;   or  Sijrnia  Chi,  201- 

202;  Northwestern  District. 

The,  12-   1  :;•-'. 
Currier,  A.  D.,   110,  112,  130, 

121,  137,  139,  1 12. 
Gummlngs,  ifev.  Joseph,  24, 

117;  Remarks  of,  12-;  iso. 

Clark,  F.  N 118 

Chi  chapter 129,  131 

Chi  Chi  Chapter 18 

Charter  Members  ot   Omega,  -'il 

Cumnoek,   Prof.  K.  L 53,  r,2 

Carhart,  Prof.  H.  S .>i.  T2 

Crist,  . I.. 1 iai,  119 

Coleman,  L.  C tm,  ii'.i 

Cahlwell, .).  Parks 210 

Delta  Delta  Chapter 18 

Defunct  Chapters 18 

Dixon,  Henry  St.  John 18 

Delta  Kappa  Kpsilon 13 

Depanw  I'nivcrMty 15 

Dickinson  College  15 

Dennison  University 15 

Drake,  C.T 72,  15 1 

Draper,  C.  L 83 

Davis,N.S.,Jr.,81,  Ui7,  l:!5,  137, 
138. 

Donelson,  D.  P 84, 107, 137 

Deering,  Jas.  E. .  .87, 141,  159,  177 

Dale.J.  Frank 87 

Douthart,  S.  P 92,  152 


261 


262 


INDEX. 


Demorest,  W.  L.  .96,  105, 136,  139 
De  Groff,  K.  V.,  109,  111,  112, 
139,  202. 

Delta  Chapter 18 

Delta  Upsilon 155 

Dennis,  W.  J 214 


Kvanst°n 21 

Evans,  Gov.  John 22 

Erskiue  College 

Early,  A.  I).,  41,  48,  72,  74,  93. 

94,  95,  120,  140,  174,  232. 

Etnyre,  O.  D 

Elliot,  Fran  k  M.,  41, 93, 95, 1 15 

120,  131,  132,  134,  141,  146,  159, 

176,  249,  251. 
Evans,  W.  G.,  42,  93,  94,  95,  136 

141,  174,  176. 

Elliot,  E.  K : 

Eddy,  H.C 

Elliot,  Mrs 

Elliot  Prize 119, 

Elraore,  Eltinge 136,  140, 

Early,  F.  A 42, 

Epsilon,  Epsilon  Chapter  — 
Epsilon  Chapter 


Fisher,  W.  L 19, 129,  207 

Fowler,  Rev.  Charles  H.,  24, 

55,  78,  175. 
Frank,  Henry.  .82, 83, 134, 140, 141 

Foulkes,  C.  A 88,  107,  137 

Fratres  Caros  Sal u to,  a  song:.  104 

Fraternity  Influence 156-158 

Fosdick,  W.  W 2<3 

Garrett  Biblical  Institute.  26,  27 

Gillett,  M.  M 42.  71,  95,  141 

Gymnasium,  Building  a.,  87, 

94, 174-181 

Gamma,  Chapter 14,  20 

Gleanings  from  Old  Letters 

210-215. 

Hillsdale  College 17 

Hanover  College 15 

Howard  College 16 

Hampden-Sidney  College —  16 
Hosier's  Gallery..  . .  34, 39,  40 
Hosier,  Frank  E.,  38.  40;  Last 

Speech,  118,  246-254 
Hamline,  J.  H.,  48,  83,  115, 133, 

138,  139,  146,  149.  159,  167,  174 
Harris,  W.  H.,  80,  96,  98,  101, 

105,  135, 136. 13S  141.  147,  170 
Humphrey,  K.  M 83,  229-234 


Harris,  Frank  M.  83, 133, 141,  167 
Hilton,  T.  B.,  Jr.  88,  134,  136, 

139,  140,  150,  166 

Hosier,  F.  A 106,107 

Hamline,  Mrs. 118 

Hamilton,  Gov.  J.  M....   124,  207 
Harrison,  E.  J.,  44,  133,  136, 

146,  151 

Haskin,  W.  E 38,40 

Haven,  Rev.  E.  O 24,  145 

Hancock,  Fennimore  E.,  220, 

226-229,  242 

Hancock.  John  S.. . .  227,  239-'-'42 
Hamilton,  W.  A 230 


Illinois  Wesleyan  University, 

17,  113,  118,  172 
Indiana  State  University.. . .  15 

Illinois  State  University 16 

Ilgcnlntz,  C.  A     41,83 

Iota  Iota  Chapter IK 

Iota  Chapter  18 

Index,  The 153,  154 

Intercollegiate  Literary  As- 
sociation of  New  York,  164- 
172 

Jefferson  College 15 

Jessnp,  H.  B 88,  107,  137,  142 

Jordan,  Hon.  Isaac  M.,  205, 
208,  210 

Kappa  Kappa,  Chapter  18,129,131 

Kappa  Phi  Lambda 31 

Kenyon  College 63 

Knappen,  F.  E.  73,  93,  95,  134, 
136,  138,  139,  140,  202 ;  as  a 
Warbler,  83-8i;  His  Story, 

Kampf,  F.  B 109 

Knox,  W.  M 133,  138,  141,  146 

King  Kalakua 152 

Krantz,  John,  Jr 177 

Kent,  Linden 204 

Lunt,  Gco.  31,  102, 123, 133, 138, 

146,  151,  174,  177,  180. 
Langworthy,    A.    D.  31,  136, 

137,151,224. 

Lairrange  i  ollege 14,  214 

Lafayette  College 15 

Lambert,  I.  E 41,  si.  139 

Lipps,  John  E 87,  107,  180 

Lathrop,  Harry 113 

Lambda  Chapter 202,  203 


INDEX. 


263 


Massachusetts    Institute    of 

Technology 17 

Maine  University 13 

Mississippi  Colleg-e 16 

Monmouth  College 16, 172 

McWilliams,  E 84 

Me  Williams,  .las.  W 85,  ss 

Mathew,  \V.  S.  88,  134,  1U6,  137, 

13«,  139,  140,  14«,  150,  16u,  Itis, 

173,  174,  177. 

Moss,  E.  S 94 

Martin,  .1 .  Karl< • 95 

Marcy,  Dr.  Oliver 24,  109 

Men-irk,  (ieo.  P.,  110,  IK,  115, 

llii,  12(1,  125,  132,  !*->,  139,  142. 

147,  2(12. 

Martin,  \V.  L i;o 

Muir,  Geo.  W isn 

Memento  Mori— a  poem 216 

Northwestern  University, 21- 
27;  15,  51,  55,  57,  ~S:  Presi- 
dents, 24:  Buildings,  25;  Con- 
dition of,  UKi,  Kill;  Property. 
2(1:  Departments,  •_•:);  Future 
of,  158;  Represented  in  tin- 
Inter  -  Collegiate  Literary 
Association,  1C>5-172. 

Northwestern,  The 101 

Northwestern  Alumni  Asso- 
ciation   120 

Northwestern,   The    District 

Convention l;.'s  -!:;.' 

Norris,  Jas.  B 83, 137,  13S,  141 

Nu  Chapter 18 

Necrology 217-254 

Omega,  located,  21 ;  Poem, 
2S;  Origin,  3u ;  Bowling 
Alley,  87.  ITS,  179;  Chatter 
Members81;ChapterHouse 

113,  159,  Itil  ;  Early  Events, 
30-37;  Total  Membership 
of,  154;  Reorganized,  38-4H; 
Banquet  of  '75,  44  ;  iSlcigh- 
rides,  47-50 ;  Four  College 
Years,  1874-1878,  82-103 ; 
History  of  IS'.S-lsT'.i.  105- 
107;  History  of  1879-1884, 
108-121;  Entertain  Four- 
teenth Biennial  Conven- 
tion, 122-127. 
Ohio  Wealeyan  University.  14, 288 

Ohio  State  University 16 

Owen,  Charles 106, 107 


Phi  Kappa  Psi 30,  37,  154 

1'hi  (lamina  Delta :»i.  :•:;.    .V, 

Paul  C.  R.,  81, 82, 87, 88,40,188, 
13»i,  Us,  14<i.  174.  252. 

Pennsylvania  <  'oik-ge 15 

Polytechnic  College 15 

['in-due  rniversity. 16 

1'hi   Kapp.t   Sigma,  37.  IK',  s.',. 

Sli,  9S,  ItHI,  114,  154,  178. 
1'si    I'psilon   Mo\eineiil        :.l   rs 
I'arrish,  K.   R.,  42.  95.  141.  2i:i-:.'»f, 

I'eck.  II.  I, Ill 

I'rime.  W.  T 115 

l'iatt..l.  J 121,213 

Pi-nrsnn.  II.  A 44.  140,  159 

1'hi  Chi  Chapter 18 

Psi  Psi  Chapter 18 

Psi  Chapter 18 

Prentice,  George  I) 212 

liobiiison.  ,1.F.31,:!2,  1311,  138,  21 H 

Hoanoko  College ]»i 

Randolpb-Maoon  College —  16 

Richmond  College 16 

Reihl.  1).  C 41,  SI,  st,  i:?.i.  21.1 

Randolph,  F.  W.,  109.  111-115, 
III,  r.'3.V2:Js. 

Raymond,  F.  T) i:i»i,  14(1.251 

Raymond,.!.  I! 54,  145 

Rho  Chapter 202 

Rnnkle,  Ben.  P :.1H»,  212 

Reynolds,  Charles 210 

St<-vens  Institute.  17 

Sigma  Chi  Fraternity,  His- 
tory of,  13-20;Piil.lU-ati(iiis. 
19.  C,7;  (iovernment,  20.  IN, 
Id;.':  Character  of.  Iii2.  KM  : 
Convention,  801  :  MHga/.ine, 
SI,  122;  Prize  Men.  9(i.  98; 
Total  membei-.-hip  o  I 
Omega,  154;  History.  Ill  : 
Rowling  Alley,  17s,  179; 
Sentiments.  21)3  210. 

Sparling,  \V.  II 

Southern  University is 

Smith,  II.  A ss 

Solid  Six,  The 

Stewart,  E.  L KHi,  1(^.2(12 

Sliehter.  C.  S llti,  142.  2(t> 

Springer,  Rnter  \v  n; 

Shuman,  Edwin  L.,  119,  131. 

l:$5.  208 

Sigma  Chapter 18 

Spade  and   Serpent  Society, 

149,  150 


264 


INDEX. 


Scott,  F.  H 168 

Scobey,  Frank  H 211,  213 

Taylor,  F.  M.,  82,87,88,133, 
137,  138, 139, 140, 146,  150,  166, 
168,  169,  174, 176,  177, 178 

Tripod,  The  98,  101, 175 

Triumvirs,  The 102 

Tunnicliff,  G.  D 109 

Theta  Chapter 129.  132 

Theta  Theta  Chapter 18 

Tucker,  Thos.  E 214 

University  of  Iowa 17 

Nebraska 17 

Wisconsin..  17, 119 

Kansas 17 

Texas 17 

Louisiana 17 

Mississippi 14 

Nashville 14 

Virginia 15 

Unive  -sity  at  Lewisburg  ....  15 

University  of  Georgia 15 

Michigan 16, 18 

Pennsylvania..  16 

Alabama 16 

Cincinnati 16 

Upsilon  Chapter 118 


Virginia  Military  Institute..  17 

Vidette,  The 101 

Velvet  Tops,  The 152 


Wightman,  C.  A.,  20,  lid,  118, 
135,  139,  142. 

Wakeman,  Edgar  L 32, 

Washington  College 

Washington  and  Lee  Univer- 
sity   

Wooster  University 

Wabash  College 

Wheeler,  C.  P.,  41,  79,  88,  134, 
150,  167,  232. 

Webster,  E.  H S3, 

Watson,  Sidney 

Winslow,  F.  C 44.  136. 

Wicks,  H.  S 136. 

Whipple,  J.  A.  .7 60,  150, 

Warrington,  T.  C 60, 

Wooglin  and  his  Dorg 

Whale,  The  

Wood,  Wallace 


XI.  Chapter 32, 129, 132,  2t  2 

Yaple,    George    L.,  120,  121, 
136,  137,  140. 


ERRATA. 


E.  L.  Wakeman,  of  Lambda 
Chapter,  at,  Bloomington, 
Indiana  . .  32 


Prize  1874.    Should  be  Kauf- 
man in  place  of  Arnold  . .  .  14i> 
T.  M.  Warrington 149 


